This Tri Color Pasta Salad is a fun, irresistible, salad that is a must have for a hot summer day. So light, refreshing and tempting.
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Tri Color Pasta Salad is the epitome of summer meals. Light, refreshing and the perfect accompaniment to anything that you wish to serve with it.
Pasta has a very twisted history. To find out more, read this.
- 20 Minute Meal: This tri color pasta salad can be the main event or a colorful addition to any meal.
- Easy Ingredients: All found in pantry and so quick and easy.
- Family Friendly: Kids will love this fun salad.
- Adaptable: Can make it any way you like to fulfill your dietary needs.
- Makes Great Leftovers: This salad just tastes better and better as the flavors meld together.
What You Need to Make Recipe Name
Ingredients
- olive oil
- red wine vinegar
- dried Italian seasoning
- granulated sugar
- garlic
- kosher salt
- black pepper
- red onion
- Pasta
- cherry tomatoes
- English cucumber
- fresh parsley
Equipment
How to Make Tri Color Pasta Salad- Step by Step
- Make Dressing.: First, mix up the dressing first and add red onions to the dressing. Meanwhile, cook the pasta for 10 min in boiling heavily salted water.
- Veggie Prep: While the pasta is cooking dice and prepare your vegetables.
- Cool: After draining, dunk the strainer of pasta in an ice bath.
- Mix: Finally, mix all the ingredients and chill the salad for at least 30 minutes.
LOOKING FOR MORE SALAD RECIPES? TRY THESE FAVORITES:
- Classic Macaroni Salad
- Grilled Panzanella Salad
- Must Have Summer Salad Recipes
Looking for more? Check out all of the salad recipes on It Is a Keeper.
With over 200 easy and delicious dinner ideas, you'll never have to worry about what to make for dinner again.
Common Questions About this Easy Pasta Salad Recipe
It is best to store your salad in an airtight container in the fridge. It will last up to five days.
Of course, the tri color is just so fun.
Indeed, it is a great party salad. Simply adjust the ingredients as you need.
Definitely! The longer the flavors have to meld the better!
This salad is great on it’s own but here are a few summer favorites:
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>BEST GRILLED PORK TENDERLION
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>Balsamic Grilled Skirt Steak
Expert Tips for Making Pasta Salad
- Protein: To be sure this salad is great on it’s own. However, add some grilled chicken to make it a meal.
- Cheese: Crumble so feta on top for a great flavor boost.
- Olives: Feel free to add some olives, chickpeas or roasted red peppers to make this salad even better.
- Variation tip: Use a gluten free or protein pasta to make it healthier.
- Alternate ingredients: Roasted vegetables added to this salad are fabulous. For example: broccoli, zucchini or squash.
- Pepperoni: Italian Meats such as pepperoni, salami, pancetta are a great topper or even crumbled bacon.
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Tri Color Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- ½ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- For the pasta salad:
- ¼ medium red onion, finely chopped
- 8 ounces dried short pasta, such as rotini
- 8 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 English cucumber, small, quartered lengthwise, then thinly sliced
- 4 ounces fresh mozzarella , drained and chopped
- fresh parsley leaves, coarsely chopped
Instructions
- Mix up the dressing first and add the diced red onions to the dressing.Cook the pasta for 12 min in boiling heavily salted water. Prepare vegetables.
- After draining, dunk the strainer of pasta in an ice bath (equal parts ice and water in a large bowl) and get it cold fast!
- Mix all the ingredients together and chill the salad for at least 30 minutes
Expert Tips
- Protein: To be sure this salad is great on it’s own. However, add some grilled chicken to make it a meal.
- Cheese: Crumble so feta on top for a great flavor boost.
- Olives: Feel free to add some olives, chickpeas or roasted red peppers to make this salad even better.
- Variation tip: Use a gluten free or protein pasta to make it healthier.
- Alternate ingredients: Roasted vegetables added to this salad are fabulous. For example: broccoli, zucchini or squash.
- Pepperoni: Italian Meats such as pepperoni, salami, pancetta are a great topper or even crumbled bacon.
Estimated Nutritional Information
The nutritional information provided are estimates. To learn more about how I calculate this information go to www.itisakeeper.com/about-its-a-keeper/privacy-disclosure-policies/
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My mom used to make a similar pasta growing up, this dish reminded me of it. It was so good!
One of my all-time favorite salads! I love the light and zingy dressing as a complement to the pasta and veggies. I could eat this for lunch every day.
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing color pasta salad recipe! Will surely have this again! It’s really easy to make and it tasted so delicious! Highly recommended!