Nothing says summer like a delicious Picnic Pasta Salad with bow tie pasta, vegetables, mozzarella and an Italian dressing.
I was never a fan of pasta salad when I was a kid. There was something about all those tiny little raw vegetables. You know – the ones that are too small to pick out?
Well, that’s the exact reason I love this pasta salad as an adult. Fortunately my taste buds have evolved over the years and I love fresh veggies.
Throw in some cheese and a high quality Italian dressing to bind it all together, and I’m a happy girl. This recipe makes a ton of food so its fantastic for your outdoor gatherings with friends and family.
Nothing says summer like a delicious Picnic Pasta Salad, and nothing goes better with Picnic Pasta Salad than a perfectly grilled hot dog.
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stock pot
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Mixing Bowls
Ingredients
- 16 ounces bowtie pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup peppers diced, I used a mixture of red, orange, and yellow
- 1 cup carrots diced
- 1/3 cup celery diced
- 1/3 cup green onions diced
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes halved
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella diced
- 1/4 cup parmesan grated
- 8 ounces Italian salad dressing
- handful of freshly minced basil
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
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Cook pasta according to package directions, only stop cooking a couple minutes before recommended time so that pasta is a bit al dente. Toss drained pasta in olive oil to prevent sticking, set aside.
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In large pot or bowl, combine vegetables and cheese. Toss to combine. Add pasta and toss to combine. Add salad dressing and toss once more to fully combine.
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Before serving, garnish with basil and salt & pepper as desired.
Nutrition
Calories: 273kcal, Carbohydrates: 34g, Protein: 10g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 16mg, Sodium: 355mg, Potassium: 239mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 2140IU, Vitamin C: 17mg, Calcium: 141mg, Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
