As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
If there’s one dish that is guaranteed to be enjoyed by everyone, it’s got to be pasta! From it’s various shapes and compatible nature to creamy sauces, soups and vegetables, it’s so easy to be loved any time of the year. During hot summers, one of my absolute favorite recipes to enjoy is a refreshing and filling pasta salad like this one! There’s nothing more satisfying than a fresh pasta recipe full of an assortment of delicious summer veggies and fruits. Let’s dive into what makes this summertime pasta so special!
Fresh Summer Ingredients
This pasta salad uses rotini pasta and is full of various delicious and colorful summer ingredients! They say that we eat with our eyes and this pasta salad holds true to that statement! If you have a thriving summer garden, this recipe is a perfect way to put those bright and colorful veggies to use. The recipe includes zucchinis, cherry tomatoes, onion, basil and fresh green olives.
We absolutely love these olives from our friends at California Ripe Olives! There’s something special about adding fresh green olives to this summertime favorite. They compliment this summertime pasta so well and blend perfectly with the rotini pasta and the other ingredients. You won’t find a fresher olive out there!
The Perfect Summer Recipe
No one likes to use the oven and stove so much when it’s hot out. It’s hot enough already as is! That’s where recipes like this one come into play. This summertime salad is absolutely perfect for those hot summer days. It’s refreshing, light, but filling all in one! Once the pasta is cooked, all that’s needed is a quick mix of all of the ingredients and voila! Your perfect summer recipe! It’s filling, cooling, and full of various textures and refreshing flavors. This summertime pasta might just be your new summer favorite!
Not only is the summertime pasta delicious, but it’s incredibly simple and easy to make! Next time you’re hosting a gathering or need to bring a side dish to an outdoor BBQ event, you can easily whip up this amazing dish to please the whole crowd. It’s easy to double or triple the recipe and will take you no time at all. Both kids and adults alike will love it! Plus, it goes so well with nearly anything! Plant-based burgers, soups, bowls, you name it! This summertime pasta is the perfect recipe to compliment any dish!
Not only is it the easiest summer potluck dish, but it’s also the perfect recipe to meal prep in advance! As mentioned above, it’s so simple and quick to put together! You can easily make enough to last you and the family throughout the week. What’s even greater is that this recipe in particular gets better by the hour! The juices of the veggies will seep into the pasta with time and will enhance the delicious summer flavors. Plus, the rotini pasta shape holds all of the flavors so well, making every single bite that much flavorful. Let us know if you try it out!
Photos by Alfonso Revilla
Summertime Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 pound of pasta (your choice)
- ¼ cup of olive oil
- 1 small yellow or red onion, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 medium zucchini, quartered lengthwise and sliced
- 2 cups of cherry tomatoes
- 1 ½ cups of sliced green olives
- 1 ½ tbsp of olive brine
- 1 tbsp of fresh minced basil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a medium pot over medium-high heat, cook the pasta according to the package instructions.
- In a separate pan, heat the oil. Add in the onion and garlic and saute for 1 minute, then add zucchini and saute for another 2 to 3 minutes, until the veggies become tender.
- Stir in the tomatoes and cover the pan for 1 minute, stir and then cover for another minute.
- Stir in the olives, olive brine, pasta, and basil, and serve. Can be eaten cold or warm.
Notes
- Easily make this ahead of time for your party or potluck.
- Use whatever fresh summer veggies you have on hand.
- I recommend sticking with rotini pasta to soak up all the dressing flavors.
Nutrition
Disclaimer: Although plantbasedonabudget.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Plantbasedonabudget.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.
Additional Info
Loved this pasta recipe, especially adding the olive brine. Made all the difference in flavor for me.
The olive brine definitely adds such a nice touch to this recipe. So glad you tried it!
Such delicious pasta! I love all the vegetables.
Gotta love a veggie-packed pasta dish! So glad you enjoyed it!
Yummy summer pasta salad that can be a meal on its own or a side dish. We are making this for our bbq this weekend.
Love that! Hope you enjoyed it!
Refreshing and easy to make! Perfect for those blistering hot summer days!
It’s definitely refresh you and leave you feeling super nourished!
I love is a combination of zucchini and tomatoes in this recipe. Everything was so delicious.
Right?! Such a nice combo of flavor!
This pasta salad was perfect for lunch. The sauteed zucchini and tomatoes had just the right flavor. Yummie!
Nothing like a nice blend of summer veggies!
We enjoyed this garden pasta recipe! It is such a visually appealing dish and quite tasty. I am sure this will be on our summer dinner menu often this season.
Love that! It’s definitely a great addition to your summer menu!