Description
Warm, bright Layered Spring Pasta Salad combines crisp vegetables, tender pasta, and a creamy dressing for a refreshing, crowd‑pleasing side dish. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a light lunch, it’s packed with fresh flavors and vibrant colors that make healthy eating a joy.
Ingredients
- Rotini or bowtie pasta, cooked and cooled – 4 cups
- Olive oil – 1 tablespoon
- Cherry tomatoes, halved – 1½ cups
- English cucumber, diced – 1½ cups
- Red bell pepper, diced – 1 cup
- Shredded carrots – 1 cup
- Green peas (fresh or thawed frozen) – 1 cup
- Red onion, finely diced – ½ cup
- Mozzarella pearls or cubed mozzarella – 1½ cups
- Grated Parmesan cheese – ½ cup
- Optional protein: Grilled chicken, diced – 2 cups (or Chickpeas, drained and rinsed – 1½ cups)
- Mayonnaise – 1 cup
- Greek yogurt or sour cream – ½ cup
- Red wine vinegar – 2 tablespoons
- Dijon mustard – 1 teaspoon
- Sugar or honey – 1 teaspoon
- Salt – 1 teaspoon
- Black pepper – 1 teaspoon
- Garlic powder – ½ teaspoon
- Fresh herbs for garnish (parsley, dill, or basil) – 2 tablespoons
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions, drain, rinse with cold water, and let cool completely.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta with olive oil; toss to coat.
- Add cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, carrots, peas, and red onion; stir gently.
- Incorporate mozzarella pearls, Parmesan cheese, and optional protein of choice; mix well.
- In a separate bowl whisk together mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, sugar, salt, pepper, and garlic powder to create the creamy dressing.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Sprinkle fresh herbs over the top for garnish.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
Tip: For extra protein, add grilled chicken or chickpeas. Substitute any of the fresh veggies with what’s in season. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days; the flavors meld beautifully.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Category: B
- Method: mixed
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: pasta salad, spring, healthy, side dish