This Easy Summer Pasta Salad is filled with garden fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, and flavor-packed aromatic herbs. All the fresh garden veggies and flavorful Italian twist makes it perfect for summer!
Summer salads are so light and refreshing and this pasta salad is a must try this summer. We make this salad with ingredients right out of the vegetable and herb garden. So fresh! So good!
This summer pasta salad comes together very quickly. Cooking the pasta is about how long it takes to make. I like to put the pasta on to cook while I cut, chop, and dice the other ingredients. By the time the pasta is ready to drain, I’m usually close to finished with everything else.
Ingredients Needed For A Summer Pasta Salad:
- Bowtie Pasta – or pasta of your choice
- Cucumber – about 1 1/2 cups
- Grape or Cherry Tomatoes, halved
- Black Olives
- Fresh Basil Leaves
- Fresh Oregano Leaves
- Fresh Chives – green onions will also work
- Italian Salad Dressing – we love the Olive Garden dressing but you can make a homemade dressing or use whichever Italian dressing you prefer
- Salt and Pepper
Recipe Overview – How To Make A Summer Pasta Salad
Cook the pasta per the directions on the package.
While the pasta is cooking cut and prepare the veggies and chop the herbs.
Everything in the pictures below, but the olives, came straight from my garden. I just LOVE that!
After everything is cut up, place it in a large bowl and give it a quick toss.
Once the pasta is done, drain and run it under cold water for a minute or two to stop it from cooking. Drain well then add to the veggie mixture.
Lately, pour your preferred Italian salad dressing over the pasta salad and toss once more. Toss until the salad is evenly coated with the dressing.
I just love the vibrate colors and fresh flavor of this salad.
Make It A Meal – Add Protein:
If you wanted to turn this into a full meal with protein, adding pepperoni, salami, bacon, or cooked chicken chunks!
That’s it! This salad is so delicious, light, and packed with flavor. It should be on everyone’s summer bucket list. 😉 This also makes for an awesome summer BBQ potluck salad or make-ahead lunch.
Storage:
Store this pasta salad covered or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
More Recipes You Might Like!
Summer recipes can be fun, fresh and full of flavor. On a hot day my kids love this Healthy Rainbow Fruit Yogurt Bark. I like making a batch or two so we always have some in the freezer ready to go for a snack or treat.
Looking for something a little more healthy? My Healthy Tuna Salad Celery Sticks Snack is great for a light lunch or afternoon snack.
Fresh Summer Pasta Salad Recipe Card:
Easy Garden Fresh Italian Pasta Salad
This Easy Summer Pasta Salad is filled with garden fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, and aromatic herbs. Its fresh Italian twist makes it perfect for summer!
Ingredients
- 1 lb bowtie pasta, or pasta of your choice
- 1 large cucumber, medium dice, about 1 1/2 cups
- 1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 can black olives
- 20 large fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 2-3 tablespoons fresh oregano leaves, chopped
- 1/2 cup chives, chopped
- 3/4 cup Italian salad dressing
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta as directed.
- While pasta is cooking, cut, chop, and prepare other ingredients.
- Once pasta is cooked, drain and run under cold water to stop cooking and cool down. Drain well.
- Toss cucumber, tomato, and olives together. Add fresh herbs.
- Add cold, drained pasta and salad dressing. Toss until coated. Salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 133Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 174mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 1gSugar: 6gProtein: 3g
Originally Published: 08.15.2017 Updated: 03.06.2024
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