Best Tangy Balsamic Pasta Salad Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

BALSAMIC BASIL PASTA SALAD



Balsamic Basil Pasta Salad image

Balsamic Basil Pasta Salad is an delicious, healthy side dish perfect for any potluck, picnic or barbecue!

Provided by Stephanie

Time 25m

Number Of Ingredients 14

7 oz (about 2 1/4 cups) dry whole wheat rotini pasta or chickpea pasta if you're gluten-free, cooked (3 1/2 cups cooked pasta)
2 cups grape tomatoes, quartered
1 1/4 cups cucumber, chopped (I like to use an English cucumber for this)
1 1/2 cups orange bell pepper, chopped
1/2 cup red onion, chopped and soaked in ice water for a few minutes, then drained (this takes some of the bite out)
1 1/4 cup mild (or hot if ya like!) pickled banana pepper rings, drained and chopped
1 can (3.8 oz) sliced black olives, drained
1 (8 oz) block of mozzarella cheese, diced
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced (or more if you like!)
1/4 cup + 2 Tbs balsamic vinegar
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dijon or spicy brown mustard
pinch of salt and pepper
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Steps:

  • Boil your pasta. While your pasta is cooking, make your dressing. Whisk together the vinegar, garlic powder, mustard, salt and pepper. While still whisking, drizzle in your olive oil. Once fully combined, set aside.
  • When the pasta is done cooking, drain well then add a few tablespoons of the dressing to the pasta to prevent sticking and refrigerate until cold in a large bowl - this makes about 13 cups so be sure to have a big enough bowl! (Hot Tip: Don't rinse your pasta in cold water after cooking, removing the outer starch can keep the dressing from sticking well to it!)
  • Add the remaining ingredients to the pasta (you may need to give the dressing another good whisking before adding if the oil has separated). You can serve this right away, but it's even better if it can have some time to marinate in the fridge! Once it's refrigerated, I like to let it sit on the counter for a few (the olive oil will thicken in the fridge and setting it out re-liquifies it) then give it a good stir before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 157 calories, Fat 9 grams fat, ServingSize 1 cup

TANGY BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE



Tangy Balsamic Vinaigrette image

This salad topper coats spinach or any greens so nicely...and it's easy to prepare. I like to use balsamic vinegar, which gives it a tart, refreshing flavor. -Alcy Thorne, Los Molinos, California

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 5m

Yield 2 cups.

Number Of Ingredients 8

1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup ketchup
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup olive oil
Salad greens and croutons

Steps:

  • In a blender, combine the vinegar, sugar, ketchup, onion, Worcestershire sauce and salt; cover and process until smooth. While processing, gradually add oil in a steady stream. Serve with salad greens and croutons.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 158 calories, Fat 14g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 222mg sodium, Carbohydrate 10g carbohydrate (10g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 0 protein.

SWEET AND TANGY PASTA SALAD



Sweet and Tangy Pasta Salad image

June Herke WATERTOWN, SOUTH DAKOTA I'm a retired farmwife and one of 16 children. I learned lots about cooking from my mother. This recipe is my version of a much simpler one.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 25m

Yield 16 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 package (16 ounces) spiral pasta
1 medium cucumber, finely chopped
1 jar (8 ounces) whole baby corn, drained and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 jar (7-1/2 ounces) marinated artichoke hearts, drained
1 cup sliced pimiento-stuffed olives
1 cup sliced ripe olives
1/2 cup finely chopped sweet red pepper
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
DRESSING:
1 cup canola oil
1 cup cider vinegar
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the cucumber, corn, artichokes, olives, red pepper and onion. Drain pasta and rinse in cold water; stir into vegetable mixture. , In a small bowl, whisk the dressing ingredients. Pour over salad; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Serve with a slotted spoon.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 332 calories, Fat 19g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 330mg sodium, Carbohydrate 38g carbohydrate (14g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 4g protein.

SWEET AND TANGY SUMMER MACARONI SALAD



Sweet and Tangy Summer Macaroni Salad image

Quick and easy. Tastes best when it sits for a while before serving. I change up the veggies every time I make it, with whatever I have on hand. Carrots and celery work well.

Provided by tojo5

Categories     Salad     Pasta Salad     Macaroni Salad Recipes

Time 35m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 cups elbow macaroni
2 ripe tomatoes, chopped
½ green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
¼ cucumber, chopped
1 green onion, chopped
⅔ cup white sugar
½ cup vegetable oil
⅓ cup ketchup
¼ cup vinegar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon paprika
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 minutes. Drain and rinse in cold water until macaroni is cooled.
  • Place macaroni into a large salad bowl and stir in tomatoes, green bell pepper, cucumber, and green onion.
  • Whisk sugar, vegetable oil, ketchup, vinegar, salt, paprika, and black pepper, stirring in a bowl until sugar has dissolved. Pour dressing over macaroni and vegetables and toss to coat.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 243.5 calories, Carbohydrate 33 g, Fat 11.5 g, Fiber 1.3 g, Protein 3.3 g, SaturatedFat 1.5 g, Sodium 325.1 mg, Sugar 16.8 g

TANGY VEGETABLE PASTA SALAD



Tangy Vegetable Pasta Salad image

The variety of ingredients in Wilma Jones' delicious pasta salad will take your taste buds in different directions. "It's surprising how well the zippy citrus and raw vegetable flavors blend," she comments from Mobile, Alabama.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 30m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 17

2-1/4 cups uncooked spiral pasta
2 tablespoons lemon juice
3 plum tomatoes, sliced
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1/2 cup sliced radishes
1/2 cup chopped peeled cucumber
DRESSING:
1/3 cup spicy hot V8 juice
1/4 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons chopped green onion
1 tablespoon canola oil
1-1/2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dill weed

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions, adding the lemon juice to the water. Drain and cool. , In a large bowl, combine the pasta, tomatoes, green pepper, radishes and cucumber. In a small bowl, whisk the dressing ingredients. Pour over salad; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate until serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 184 calories, Fat 3g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 254mg sodium, Carbohydrate 31g carbohydrate (0 sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 8g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

Related Topics