Pasta Salad Seasonal Veggies (Printable)

Tender pasta tossed with crisp seasonal vegetables and a flavorful dressing for a light meal.

# What You Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 10.5 oz dried pasta (fusilli, penne, or rotini)
02 - Salt, for boiling water

→ Seasonal Vegetables

03 - 1 small zucchini, diced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
07 - 2 carrots, grated or thinly sliced
08 - 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced

→ Simple Dressing

09 - 4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
10 - 2 tbsp lemon juice or white wine vinegar
11 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
12 - 1 clove garlic, minced
13 - 1 tsp honey or maple syrup (for vegan option)
14 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Optional Add-ins

15 - 1.75 oz feta cheese, crumbled (omit for vegan)
16 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh herbs (parsley, basil, or dill)
17 - 2 tbsp toasted sunflower or pumpkin seeds

# How-To:

01 - Boil salted water in a large pot and cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
02 - Wash, dice, and slice zucchini, bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, carrots, and red onion as specified.
03 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice or vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, honey or maple syrup, salt, and pepper until emulsified in a large bowl.
04 - Add cooled pasta and prepared vegetables to the dressing. Toss gently to coat evenly.
05 - Fold in feta cheese, fresh herbs, and toasted seeds if using. Adjust seasoning as needed.
06 - Serve immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes to meld flavors. Toss before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Colorful, fresh, and satisfying for any season
  • Quick to prepare and easily customizable
02 -
  • This recipe contains wheat (gluten) and dairy in the feta; omit cheese for vegan or dairy-free.
  • Mustard and seeds can trigger allergies in sensitive individuals. Always check ingredient labels if unsure.
03 -
  • Chill the salad for at least 30 minutes for deeper flavor
  • Toss just before serving to refresh texture
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