Pasta Salad Recipe Balsamic​

🌿 Light, tangy, and bursting with Mediterranean flavor! This balsamic pasta salad is the perfect side dish for summer gatherings, quick lunches, or meal prep fresh, vibrant, and easy to make! 🍅🧀🥬

Introduction

In search of a light, delicious, and flavor-packed meal that screams either warm weather or busy weeknight? Refrigerate for about 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to blend! This Pasta Salad Recipe Balsamic​ is a great way to jazz up pasta salad. It is loaded with al dente pasta, fresh, crunchy veggies, herbs, and the tangy, sweet balsamic vinaigrette that brings it all together! Whether taking it on a picnic, to a potluck, or simply meal-prepping for a tasty, healthy lunch, you will love this recipe for its convenience and punch of flavor in every bite.
What makes this Pasta Salad Recipe Balsamic​ stand out is the perfect combo of textures and flavors: soft pasta meets crispy cucumbers, sweet alfalfa tomatoes, red onions and a bit of mozzarella or feta cheese. The star of the show is the balsamic dressing, which is made from scratch with garlic, Dijon mustard, good-quality olive oil, and aged balsamic. And the dressing soaks into all the other components, yielding a delicious and hearty meal that is even better cold, straight from the refrigerator.
This pasta salad is not only super flexible and customizable but also full of nutrient-rich, heart-healthy ingredients. You can make it gluten-free with chickpea or lentil pasta, or add grilled chicken or chickpeas for added protein. This Pasta Salad Recipe Balsamic​ is your answer to an easy, no-fuss, healthy pasta while keeping things light and fresh; perfect for the Mediterranean diet and picky eaters.

🥗 Keys for Perfecting the Pasta Salad Recipe Balsamic

Getting the Pasta Salad Recipe Balsamic​ right is all about balance: flavor, texture, and temperature. Opt for a small pasta shape that will hang onto the dressing: rotini, penne or farfalle. Cook all this pasta just al dente, then rinse in cold water to immediately stop the cooking, and toss while still slightly warm, so it will better absorb the vinaigrette. Lay fresh, crisp vegetables such as bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers and red onions on a bed of the marinated mozzarella for a satisfying crunch.

🏡 Why Homemade Is a Great Idea

Preparing Pasta Salad Recipe Balsamic​ in the privacy of your own home means you can select the different ingredients yourself and ensure that they are nothing but 100% fresh. Pasta salads from the deli typically have nasty preservatives, or the dressings are too sweet. However, your at-home versions can be organic ingredients, gluten-free pasta, and heart-healthy oils. And it’s more affordable, customizable and works better for specific dietary goals, such as low sodium, vegetarian or dairy-free.

🍅 Health Benefits of Pasta Salad with Balsamic

This is way good for you, pasta salad. Use a high-fiber, legume-based or whole-grain pasta. The olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette also benefit the heart and digestion. Here is a deeper look at some of the key benefits:

Pasta Salad Recipe Balsamic

A flavorful and refreshing Pasta Salad Recipe with Balsamic Vinaigrette, perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a healthy weeknight meal. This colorful dish features fresh veggies, al dente pasta, and a tangy homemade dressing—all ready in under 30 minutes. Servings: 4 people Estimated Cost: $5 ⏱️ Times: Prep Time: 0 days, 0 hours, 15 minutes Cook Time: 0 days, 0 hours, 10 minutes Resting Time: 0 days, 0 hours, 15 minutes Total Time: 0 days, 0 hours, 40 minutes 📂 Categories / Courses / Cuisines / Keywords Categories: Pasta Salad, Summer Recipes Courses: Salad, Side Dish Cuisines: American, Mediterranean Keywords: Pasta Salad Recipe Balsamic, healthy pasta salad, balsamic vinaigrette pasta salad

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

15 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Salad

Cuisine: American

Calories: 310

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• For the Pasta Salad:
• Amount Unit Name Notes
• 8 oz Pasta Rotini or penne cooked al dente
• 1 cup Cherry tomatoes Halved
• 1 cup Cucumber Diced
• 1/2 cup Red onion Thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup Bell pepper Chopped
• 1/4 cup Feta cheese Optional crumbled
• 2 tbsp Fresh parsley Chopped
• For the Balsamic Dressing:
• Amount Unit Name Notes
• 3 tbsp Olive oil Extra virgin
• 2 tbsp Balsamic vinegar
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp Honey or maple syrup Optional for sweetness
• 1/2 tsp Salt Adjust to taste
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper Freshly ground

Equipment

• Amount Name Notes
• 1 Large pot For boiling pasta
• 1 Strainer To drain the cooked pasta
• 1 Mixing bowl For assembling the salad
• 1 Whisk To mix the vinaigrette

Method

 

1. Cook the pasta: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking.
2. Prepare the vegetables: While pasta cools, chop the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, and red onion.
3. Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey (optional), salt, and pepper.
4. Combine the salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine pasta, chopped vegetables, parsley, and feta cheese if using.
5. Add dressing: Pour the balsamic vinaigrette over the pasta salad and toss to coat everything evenly.
6. Chill and serve: Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes before serving to let flavors meld.
7. 🔍 Nutrition (Per Serving – Estimate):
8. Calories: 310 kcal
9. Protein: 7g
10. Carbohydrates: 35g
11. Fat: 15g
12. Fiber: 3g
13. Sugar: 5g

Notes

For best results, chill the salad for an hour before serving.

Add grilled chicken or chickpeas for a protein-packed main dish.

🧂 Tips and Tricks for the Best Pasta Salad Recipe Balsamic

• Chill before serving: Transfer to refrigerator and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let flavors meld.
• Don’t overdress: Dress to coat ingredients, not slather them. Save some for serving.
• Reserve cheese for last: Soft cheese, such as feta or mozzarella pearls, can be stirred in at the last minute so it doesn’t collapse in texture.
• Include fresh herbs: Some basil, parsley or mint can lighten the salad.
• Meal prep/storage and reheating: In an airtight container for up to 3 days.

🌿 Pasta Salad Recipe Balsamic Variations

One of the great things about this recipe is its versatility. A variety of tasty variations follow:

• Mediterranean: Throw in kalamata olives, artichoke hearts and crumbled feta.
• Protein boost: Add pieces of grilled chicken, chickpeas, or tofu.
• Vegan rendition: Omit the cheese and add a bit of maple syrup to the dressing.
• Gluten-free: Substitute lentil, rice or chickpea pasta for those made with wheat.
  

Conclusion

This Pasta Salad Recipe Balsamic​ is not merely a side dish; it’s a complete meal unto itself and is a perfect recipe for everything from every summer BBQ to every weekday lunch! It’s budget-friendly, easy to prepare, and infinitely customizable. With a few fresh ingredients, you’re on your way to a dish that’s as good for you as it is delicious.

❓ FAQs: Pasta Salad Recipe Balsamic

Q: Can I make this pasta salad ahead of time?
A: Yes! It’s best made a few hours ahead to allow the flavors to develop.

Q: Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
A: Absolutely. Use gluten-free pasta and double-check your balsamic vinegar label.

Q: How long will it last in the fridge?
A: Stored in an airtight container, it stays fresh for up to 3 days.

💡 Share Your Twist!

Tried this recipe with your own flair? Maybe you swapped in sun-dried tomatoes, added olives, or used a vegan feta? Share your unique version of this Pasta Salad Recipe Balsamic with us in the comments or tag us on social media.