Last Updated June 17th, 2023 at 06:09 pm by Lisa
An easy Pasta Salad and mayo-less side dish, perfect for hot weather at outdoor picnics, a potluck, or your next Summer cookout!
Cold pasta salads are easygoing party food. Add veggies like bell pepper, red onion, fresh herbs, and little cubes of mozzarella cheese all tossed in a light dressing...
Easy Pasta Salad Recipe
Pasta salad recipes usually have a lot of mayonnaise and other creamy sauces. This pasta salad dressing is simple, light and lets the ingredients stand out. One of the best things about this recipe, is the leftovers are amazing...
Pasta Salad Ingredients
- Cavatappi Pasta (or any shape; shells, bow tie, etc.)
- extra-virgin olive oil
- white wine vinegar or red wine vinegar
- fresh parsley chopped
- fresh basil leaves chopped
- orange bell pepper chopped
- yellow bell pepper chopped
- fresh red onion or pickled onion diced finely
- kosher sea salt
- Monterey jack cheese ½” cubes
Pasta Salad Instructions
- In a large pot, bring cold water to boil then add the pasta. Stir to keep water moving, 5-8 minutes.
- Drain pasta, shake, and rinse (so it’s not sticky).
- Place pasta in a large bowl, and add extra virgin olive oil and sea salt immediately to the hot pasta. Toss well to coat. Cover and chill for 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, finely chop the red onion, parsley, and basil. Slice the yellow and orange bell pepper into small pieces. And cut the Monterey Jack cheese into small ½" cubes.
- Into the chilled bowl of pasta, add the diced red onion, vinegar, chopped parsley and basil, diced orange, and yellow bell pepper. Add the cheese cubes toss well, and chill again for at least 2 hours. It will hold overnight really well.
- Store leftovers in a covered small bowl or airtight container for up to 5 days.
Different Pasta Shapes To Try
- Small Cut Macaroni Salad Pasta
- Farfalle "bow tie"
- Fusilli "spirals"
- Rotini Pasta "corkscrew"
- Elbow Macaroni "curved"
- Conchiglie "shells"
On hot days, be sure to refrigerate it after 2-3 hours after you're done digging in. It will last 3-5 days in the fridge well covered.
Pasta Salad Flavor Variations & Additions
Make a Greek Pasta Salad version with chopped kalamata olives, feta cheese, tomato, cucumber, and a Parmesan Vinaigrette Dressing with lemon juice. Or try an Italian Pasta Salad, and mix in sliced salami, pepperoni, pepperoncini, juicy San Marzano tomatoes, Italian dressing, Marinated Mozzarella, and olives.
- Feta Cheese
- Cucumber
- Sun Dried Cherry Tomatoes
- Cubed Cheeses; cheddar, pepper jack, Swiss, or Colby
- Grated Parmesan Cheese
- Red or Green Bell Peppers
- Marinated Vegetables
- Shredded or Diced Chicken
- Sliced Salami
- Cubed Ham
- Green, Kalamata, or Black olives
- Marinated Mozzarella Balls
- Pickled Red Onion
- Mini San Marzano or Grape Tomatoes
What To Serve With Pasta Salads?
Grilled Cheeseburgers and Hot Dogs are classic to serve with chilled pasta salads. Refreshing drinks are next. Have small water bottles, drinks for kids like this Blueberry Lemonade Recipe, and some adult beverages if permitted where you are having your picnic like Mojitos or Limeade Margaritas.
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The best recipes to make for a picnic outdoors are food that can be served in small containers like Bacon Potato Salad or BBQ Potato Salad passed around or held in your hand like a Cut Sandwich that stays together.
Small Bite-Size desserts like Madeleines that hold their shapes (and don’t melt) are a great choice as well! Cookies, Lemon Bars, and desserts are great choices.
Recipes without ingredients like mayonnaise (that can become unsafe in hot temperatures) are also preferred.
Foods that pack well in a cooler, wrapped individually in parchment, plastic, or foil wraps are also a great idea.
Use small containers or zip bags to portion things for each person, and small splits of wine or champagne are nice too!
More Pasta Salad & Picnic Food Ideas
A classic Macaroni Salad recipe with chopped eggs, dill pickles, pickle juice, and crunchy celery. A cherished old fashioned family recipe! A healthier Italian Tuna Salad loaded with crunchy celery, creamy avocado, basil, capers, kalamata olives, pepperoncinis, and sun-dried tomato. Roll up in a tortilla wrap, scooped in colorful bell pepper bowls, or put inside lettuce leaves for low carb lunches!
Watermelon Salad is one of the most incredible refreshing summer fruit salads. It has a light citrus dressing, and fresh mint, topped with crumbled feta cheese. Serve this side dish for picnics, potlucks, and BBQ cookouts in a carved-out watermelon for the salad bowl! Yummy Picnic Food is easy with Pressed Italian Sandwiches that are both neat to eat and easy to make ahead. This pressed sandwich recipe is bursting with flavor from the olives, pepperoncini, salami, deli meat, and more!
A Broccoli Salad with vibrant colors of crisp green apples, crunchy broccoli, and sweet grapes. Topped with a creamy orange tangy dressing and salty pistachios mixed into this summer salad. And a 7 Layer Salad is ready to go to your party chilling in your fridge overnight complete with the dressing on top. It is a classic side dish for a potluck picnic and family gatherings.
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Easy Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb Cavatappi pasta or any shape: shells, bow tie, etc.
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ cup white wine vinegar or red wine vinegar
- ½ cup fresh parsley chopped
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves chopped
- 2 large orange bell pepper chopped
- 2 large yellow bell pepper chopped
- ¼ cup red onion diced finely
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups Monterey jack cheese ½” cubes
Instructions
- In a large pot, bring cold water to boil then add the pasta. Stir to keep water moving, 5-8 minutes until al dente. In other words slightly firm but not a super soft texture.
- Drain pasta, shake and rinse (so it’s not sticky).
- Place pasta in a large bowl, and add extra virgin olive oil and sea salt immediately to the hot pasta. Toss well to coat. Cover and chill for 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, finely chop the red onion, parsley, and basil. Slice the yellow and orange bell pepper into small pieces. And cut the Monterey Jack cheese into small ½" cubes.
- Into the chilled bowl of pasta, add the diced red onion, vinegar, chopped parsley and basil, diced orange, and yellow bell pepper. Add the cheese cubes toss well, and chill again for at least 2 hours. It will hold overnight really well.
- Store leftovers in a covered small bowl or airtight container for up to 5 days.
So easy to make and such delicious flavors. Perfect for any picnic!
I have star white wine vinegar that has never been used. It unfortunately has an expiration I am sorry to say of sept 2018. well, a best buy date. it is not cloudy, been in my pantry not exposed to light (all of the right ways to store vinegars). would it still be suitable? I tasted it with my finger and it isn't foul?
Hi Debbie! Thanks for your question, I would say you are most probably safe to use that vinegar if it is sealed. I love this recipe, my cousins made it for me while I visited in Wisconsin. And since there is no mayo, it is a perfect picnic salad. Happy Summer! Oh, and if you make the recipe, will you leave a rating and comment? Those help us SO SO much... : )
EASY and delightful! I love pasta salads but I don't like ones made with bottled salad dressing. This one will be making the rounds at our table this spring and summer and at BBQs. Can't wait!