Summer Pasta Salad is a delicious, healthy, veggie-filled salad loaded with summer squash, zucchini, carrots, scallions, edamame, broccoli, and cherry tomatoes!
1poundTorcetti pastaor any other kind of pasta you like
1tablespoonkosher salt
1pintgrape or cherry tomatoessliced in half
1yellow summer squashcut into bite-size pieces
1zucchinicut into bite-size pieces
1cupfrozen shelled edamame
2carrotssliced into ½ inch pieces
1headbroccolicut into bite-size pieces
2-3scallionsgreen and white parts thinly sliced
1cupfeta cheesecrumbled
Pasta Salad Dressing
¼cupolive oil
3tablespoonred wine vinegar
¼cuplemon juicefresh
⅓cupmayonnaiseplus 1 tablespoon
2teaspoongranulated sugar
1large garlic cloveminced or grated
Instructions
Add the pasta to a large pot of boiling salted water over high heat. Check the directions on the pasta package and set a timer for 3 minutes less than is shown to cook the pasta. For instance, if the directions say to cook for 10 minutes, set your timer for 7 minutes.
When the timer goes off, add the carrots to the pasta and cook for 2 minutes longer. When there is 1 minute remaining, add the broccoli, squash, zucchini, and edamame and continue boiling for 30-45 seconds to blanch the veggies or until the broccoli is bright green.
Immediately drain the pasta and your veggies in a colander and run cold water over it to stop the cooking process. Make sure to drain it thoroughly.
In the meantime, make the pasta salad dressing by combining the olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, mayonnaise, sugar, garlic, and pepper in a mason jar or small bowl. Cover and shake the mason jar well, or if using a bowl whisk until everything is thoroughly combined.
Add the cooled pasta and veggie mixture to a large bowl along with the tomatoes and scallions and pour the dressing over the mixture. Mix well. Add the feta cheese and toss carefully to combine. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 36 hours.
Video
Notes
Sharon's Expert Tips:This dish can be made ahead and stored covered in your refrigerator for up to three days. Do not freeze.You can add even more vegetables or substitute different ones if you like. You can also substitute any other type of pasta you have on hand or your family likes.This recipe calls for feta cheese, which is delicious, but again, feel free to customize it to your family's tastes. Suitable substitutes are goat cheese, blue cheese, cheddar, or mozzarella. Use any cheese that you have on hand or your family likes.This dish can be served as a light lunch or as a side dish at a backyard BBQ. It is also a great dish to take to a potluck dinner.