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Fresh Rainbow Veggie Pasta Salad

fresh rainbow veggie pasta salad - featured image
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A colorful, fresh, and easy-to-make pasta salad perfect for lunchboxes, packed with crunchy veggies and a light lemon vinaigrette dressing.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces tri-color rotini pasta
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup mixed bell peppers (red, yellow, orange), diced
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced
  • 1 medium carrot, shredded or julienned
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced (optional)
  • A small handful fresh basil, chopped
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of tri-color rotini and cook according to package instructions, usually 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Stir occasionally.
  2. Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse immediately under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta.
  3. While pasta cooks, halve cherry tomatoes, dice bell peppers, dice cucumber, shred or julienne carrot, finely dice red onion if using, and chop fresh basil.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, honey or maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta, prepped veggies, and chopped basil. Pour dressing over and toss gently until evenly coated.
  6. If desired, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the salad and toss gently again.
  7. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld. Stir gently before serving or packing.

Notes

Rinse pasta after cooking to prevent sogginess. Use al dente pasta for better texture. Chop veggies uniformly for balanced bites. Emulsify dressing well so it coats ingredients evenly. Season generously with salt and pepper. Fresh basil adds a bright flavor; parsley can be a substitute. Salad tastes best chilled but can be served at room temperature. Store in airtight container up to 3 days. Reheating is not recommended.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, veggie pasta salad, lunchbox ideas, easy pasta salad, healthy pasta salad, kid-friendly lunch, rainbow pasta salad

Find it online: https://juliamadeit.com/fresh-rainbow-veggie-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-lunchbox-idea-for-kids/