Simple Summer Pasta Salad
Need a quick and healthy side dish recipe? This simple summer pasta salad is the answer. Loaded with seasonal veggies, fresh herbs and a light healthy dressing, this pasta salad is a must try.
Ingredients
- 6-8 ounces orzo pasta, 2 - 2.5 cups cooked
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¾ cup mini cucumbers, diced
- ¾ cup corn kernels, I grilled my corn but canned works too. Just be sure to drain it first.
- ¾ cup red bell peppers, diced small
- ¼ cup shallots, diced small
- ¼ cup jalapeno, diced small
- ¼ cup Italian parsley, chopped small
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, fresh squeezed
- salt, to taste
- black pepper, to taste
- red pepper flakes, to taste, optional
Equipment
- 1 pasta pot
- 1 colander
Instructions
Prepare the Pasta
- Boil a pot of water and cook the orzo according to the package. Drain off the water and set the orzo aside to cool. Drizzle it with olive oil to prevent sticking.
Prepare the Pasta Salad
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked (and cooled) pasta, halved tomatoes, diced red bell peppers, diced cucumbers, corn kernels, diced shallots, diced jalapeno, chopped fresh parsley, and the simple dressing. Toss until well combined.
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes and serve.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving, Calories: 181kcal, Carbohydrates: 29g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Sodium: 50mg, Potassium: 265mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 977IU, Vitamin C: 40mg, Calcium: 21mg, Iron: 1mg