Description
California Pasta Salad is a vibrant celebration of fresh ingredients and flavors that suit every occasion. This pasta salad is perfect for summer picnics, barbecues, and potlucks, showcasing seasonal vegetables and a zesty dressing.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound fusilli, rotini, or bowtie pasta
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 large cucumber, diced
- 1 medium zucchini, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 small red onion, finely diced
- 4.5 ounce sliced black olives, drained
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 16 ounce zesty Italian salad dressing
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and add the pasta. Cook according to package directions until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Drain the pasta and rinse it thoroughly under cold water to cool.
- While the pasta cools, slice the cherry tomatoes in half and dice the cucumber, zucchini, bell peppers, and red onion into uniform pieces.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the zesty Italian dressing, Parmesan cheese, sesame seeds, paprika, celery seed, and garlic powder until well mixed. Adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper to taste.
- In a large bowl, mix the cooled pasta with the diced vegetables and sliced black olives. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 3 to 4 hours or overnight before serving.
Notes
For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
To add protein, consider grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 5mg