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)

Kitchen Scraps Vegetable Broth
Pot full of water with vegetables and herbs.

Kitchen Scraps Vegetable Broth

Use leftover veggie scraps to make a delicious broth to use in soups or cooking beans and grains!
Prepare:
15 minutes
Cook:
40 minutes
Makes:
6 to 12 cups
Chicken and Dumpling Casserole
Baking dish of dumplings with a saucy chicken and vegetable base.

Chicken and Dumpling Casserole

Simple yet comforting dumplings with chicken and vegetables are ready in less than an hour!
Prepare:
10 minutes
Cook:
30 minutes
Makes:
8 Cups
Kale Salad
Wooden bowl holding a large Kale Salad.

Kale Salad

A simple sweet and savory salad that is a great make-ahead meal.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Makes:
10 cups
Ginger Almond Asparagus
Sauteed asparagus slices with slivered almonds in a small bowl.

Ginger Almond Asparagus

A healthy vegetable side dish that combines sauteed asparagus with crunchy almonds.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Cook:
10 minutes
Makes:
2 Cups
Couscous Salad
Large bowl of a vegetable packed Couscous Salad.

Couscous Salad

A light and colorful salad combining sweet cranberries, crunchy pecans and fresh vegetables with couscous pasta.
Prepare:
15 minutes
Makes:
5 cups
Peanut Butter Yogurt Dip
Small bowl of yogurt and peanut butter mix served with sliced apples.

Peanut Butter Yogurt Dip

This peanut butter dip comes together in 5 minutes and is perfect with apples and celery.
Prepare:
5 minutes
Makes:
12 Tablespoons (¾ cup)
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.