Vibrant Summer Pasta Salad with Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing
Embrace the flavors of summer with this delightful pasta salad that bursts with fresh vegetables and a delectable creamy poppy seed dressing. Perfect for picnics, barbecues, or family gatherings, this colorful dish showcases tri-colored pasta, crunchy broccoli, savory salami, and creamy mozzarella, all tossed together in a light and refreshing salad. Kid-friendly and easy to prepare, this recipe is not only visually appealing but also packed with nutrition to keep everyone satisfied. Chill it for at least an hour to allow the flavors to meld, making it an ideal make-ahead dish for those busy summer days.
N/A
Servings
187
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
tri-colored pasta
16 ounces (cooked)
fresh broccoli
2 cups (cut into florets)
hard salami
1/2 lb (cut into bite-sized pieces)
mozzarella cheese, shredded
2 cups (shredded)
green pepper
1 medium (chopped)
vidalia onion
1 medium (chopped)
cucumber
1 (peeled, seeded & diced)
poppy seeds
2 tablespoons (none)
sugar or Splenda sugar substitute
8 tablespoons (none)
apple cider vinegar
8 tablespoons (none)
salt
2 teaspoons (none)
black pepper
1/2 teaspoon (none)
garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon (none)
salad oil
1 cup (none)
Instructions
1
In a medium bowl, whisk together the apple cider vinegar, sugar (or Splenda), salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and poppy seeds until well combined.
2
Slowly drizzle in the salad oil while continuing to whisk the mixture until the dressing is smooth and creamy. Set aside to let the flavors blend.
3
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked tri-colored pasta, fresh broccoli florets, hard salami (cut into bite-sized pieces), shredded mozzarella cheese, chopped green pepper, diced vidalia onion, and peeled, seeded, and diced cucumber.
4
Gently toss all the ingredients together until evenly mixed.
5
Pour the creamy poppy seed dressing over the pasta mixture and toss to ensure everything is well coated.
6
Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until ready to serve. This chilling time allows the flavors to combine beautifully.
Nutrition Information
12g
Fat
16g
Carbs
8g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of this recipe?
The recipe is the Vibrant Summer Pasta Salad with Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing.
What are the primary ingredients in this pasta salad?
The main ingredients include tri-colored pasta, fresh broccoli, hard salami, shredded mozzarella, green pepper, onion, and cucumber.
How many total ingredients are required?
There are 14 ingredients in total for both the salad and the dressing.
What kind of pasta is recommended?
Tri-colored pasta is used to give the salad its vibrant, colorful appearance.
What type of meat is included in this salad?
The recipe calls for 1/2 lb of hard salami cut into bite-sized pieces.
Which cheese is used in this recipe?
Two cups of shredded mozzarella cheese are used.
What vegetables are needed for the salad?
You will need fresh broccoli florets, a medium green pepper, a medium Vidalia onion, and one cucumber.
Is this recipe suitable for children?
Yes, it is described as a kid-friendly recipe that is visually appealing.
How do you prepare the poppy seed dressing?
Whisk together apple cider vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and poppy seeds, then slowly drizzle in salad oil while whisking.
What type of vinegar is used for the dressing?
The recipe uses 8 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar.
Can I use a sugar substitute in the dressing?
Yes, you can use Splenda sugar substitute as an alternative to regular sugar.
How long should the pasta salad be refrigerated before serving?
The salad should be refrigerated for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld.
Why is it important to chill the salad?
Chilling allows the various flavors from the dressing and ingredients to combine beautifully.
Is this dish good for outdoor events?
Yes, it is perfect for picnics, barbecues, and family gatherings.
What is the calorie count per serving?
There are approximately 187 calories per serving.
How much protein is in one serving?
Each serving contains 8 grams of protein.
What is the fat content of this recipe?
The salad contains 12 grams of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
There are 16 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
Does the recipe include any garlic?
Yes, 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder is included in the dressing mixture.
What type of onion should I use?
The recipe specifies using a medium Vidalia onion for its sweet flavor.
How should the cucumber be prepared?
The cucumber should be peeled, seeded, and diced before being added to the salad.
How should the broccoli be cut?
The broccoli should be cut into fresh, bite-sized florets.
What are the tags associated with this recipe?
Tags include pasta salad, summer recipes, kid-friendly, vegetable salad, easy recipes, barbecue side dish, and picnic food.
Is this recipe considered easy to make?
Yes, it is categorized as an easy recipe that is quick to assemble.
Can this be prepared in advance?
Yes, it is an ideal make-ahead dish because it benefits from chilling in the refrigerator.
What size should the salami be?
The hard salami should be cut into bite-sized pieces.
How much poppy seed is required?
The dressing requires 2 tablespoons of poppy seeds.
What is the first step in making the dressing?
The first step is whisking the vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and poppy seeds together.
Is the salad colorful?
Yes, the use of tri-colored pasta and various fresh vegetables makes it very visually appealing.
How many instructions are there to follow?
The recipe is broken down into 6 clear preparation instructions.