5 refreshing easy-to-make summer salad recipes that make healthy side dishes for summer barbeques and get-togethers. Everyone loves a refreshing healthy summer salad.
Okay, so some kids may not love salad, but I have them covered with my fun healthy summer dinner recipes.
You can throw together an easy healthy pasta salad with whatever veggies you have on hand, including cheese. olives and other ingredients that sound good to you, like bacon and avocado maybe?
And plenty of yummy salad dressing. A delicious lemon salad dressing made from scratch or creamy Italian salad dressing blended with savory seasonings or even oil and vinegar all make delicious salad dressings.
Looking For Summer Dessert Recipes Everyone Will Love? Check Out My Easy No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Recipes
What Kind of Pasta is Best to Use In Pasta Salad Recipes?
Just about any pasta works great in pasta salads. Bow-tie pasta, penne, and rotini are my favorite kinds of pasta to use in salads because they seem to grab and hold the spices and salad dressing the best.
Do I Need To Rinse Pasta First Before Making Pasta Salad?
Definitely rinse pasta after cooking it if you are using it to make a cold pasta salad. Rinsing cooked pasta will help cool it off the pasta, which keeps the pasta from sticking together when you make the salad.
What To Serve With Pasta Salad?
Almost anything goes with a cold pasta salad! Our favorite is grilled or baked salmon. But anything will taste delicious paired with pasta salad - hot dogs, grilled chicken, easy veggie burgers, and definitely garlic bread (yum!)
A cool refreshing summer mocktail would also pair nicely with pasta salad - if you are looking for a non-alcohol drink option.
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Simple Healthy and Easy Pasta Salad Recipes For Summer
Gluten-Free Italian Pasta Salad
One of the best gluten-free pasta salad recipes ever, this easy side dish is made using gluten-free pasta, spicy pepperoni, cucumber, Roma tomatoes, and black olives.
Drizzle or Drench the pasta salad ingredients with a zesty homemade gluten-free Italian salad dressing everyone will love!
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| Dinner Then Dessert |
Simple Rotini Pasta Salad
Ah, what we all need this summer - a truly simple pasta salad that will feed a crowd of hungry guests. This creamy pasta salad is made using tri-color pasta, fresh veggies, spiral pasta, tomatoes, and black olives.
A yummy classic pasta salad recipe perfect for adding in ingredients that are family favorites, like chicken, peas, cheese, and salami.
Or just enjoy the simpleness of this dish as is.
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| Gal on a Mission |
Classic Italian Pasta Salad With Italian Dressing
My absolute favorite pasta salad ingredients are olives and cheese. Gotta have them. This easy pasta and salad with Italian dressing recipe is full of flavor and plenty of favorite classic pasta salad ingredients like black olives, mozzarella cheese, cherry tomatoes, salami, red onion, and tangy spices.
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| The Recipe Critic |
Lemon Chicken Pasta Salad
Rotisserie chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, kalamata olives, fresh avocado, and feta cheese are covered with a delicious quick homemade lemon-herb dressing in this savory summer lemon chicken pasta salad recipe.
Just add some warm garlic bread or rolls, and this yummy healthy chicken pasta salad can easily be served as a main course. But this is easily one of the best pasta salads for summer picnics as well!
Mediterranean Pasta Salad With Homemade Lemon Dressing
If you try any new pasta salad recipe this summer, please oh please, try this Mediterranean pasta salad. I think you will love it!
It is made using yummy goodness like fresh arugula, tomatoes, English cucumber, avocado, and feta cheese.
All these incredible pasta salad ingredients are gently mixed with an easy delicious homemade lemon salad dressing - just be prepared to share (or not) the recipe for the lemon salad dressing. It really is that good!