Skip to main content

Summer Vegetable and Pasta Salad

Crisp vegetables, hearty whole-wheat pasta and Italian dressing make the perfect summer pasta salad.
Big bowl of spiral pasta with vegetables.
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Makes: 6 cups
Nutrition Facts: View label

Ingredients

3 cups uncooked whole-wheat pasta
1 cup chopped broccoli
1 cup diced cucumber
1 cup sliced summer squash
¾ cup Italian salad dressing

Directions

  1. Wash hands with soap and water.
  2. Rinse fresh vegetables under running water before preparing.
  3. Cook pasta according to package directions. Rinse with cold water. Place in large bowl.
  4. Add remaining ingredients and mix well.
  5. Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.

Notes

  • Use any colorful vegetables you have on hand. Try carrots, cherry tomatoes or green onions.
  • Flavor boosters: 1 cup diced cooked chicken or ham, or 1 cup garbanzo beans.
  • Try Food Hero Red Wine Vinaigrette for the dressing.

Comments

I love this recipe. The summer squash is the key in making this dish refreshing while still remaining filling. Instead of a vinaigrette, I used some pesto I had on hand, and I really liked it. if I was going to make this again with pesto, though, I would add a bit of lemon as I was missing that kick the vinaigrette was meant to give. 

This is great! Try it with low-fat salad dressing!

You might also like...

Recipes A to Z (without photos)

Roasted Radishes with Peas
Plates of a vibrant pea and radish mix.

Roasted Radishes with Peas

Mild, slightly sweet, roasted radishes paired with bright and creamy peas make the perfect side to a spring or summer meal.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
15 minutes
Makes:
2 cups
Chicken Soup with Tortilla
Tomato-based chicken soup in a large bowl with a side of tortilla strips.

Chicken Soup with Tortilla

Delicious one-pot meal packed with flavor and ready in under an hour. Enjoy as a weeknight dinner or make-ahead meal.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
12 Cups
Slow Cooker Mushroom and Red Lentil Stew
bowl of Slow Cooker Mushroom and Red Lentil Stew

Slow Cooker Mushroom and Red Lentil Stew

Enjoy a bowl of this slow cooker stew that is full of vegetables and umami flavors.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
3 to 8 hours
Makes:
10 cups
Kiwi, Banana and Apple Salad
Colorful mix of chopped fruit with dressing.

Kiwi, Banana and Apple Salad

This sweet and tangy fruit salad is a great side dish for summer BBQs, picnics and potlucks.
Prepare:
20 minutes
Makes:
3 Cups
Turkey Salad
Bowl of turkey cubes, apples and an array of chopped vegetables over a bed of lettuce.

Turkey Salad

Diced turkey, crunchy vegetables and sweet raisins combined with a creamy mayonnaise dressing.
Prepare:
10 minutes
Makes:
4 cups
Tuna Salad with Cucumber
Tuna and pea mix served over a bed of lettuce.

Tuna Salad with Cucumber

Bright and crunchy salad that is ready in about 15 minutes.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Makes:
5 cups
Was this page helpful to you?
CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.