Here’s a pasta salad that’s great for entertaining, you can bring it to your next party or serve it all summer long, it pairs perfectly with just about anything you put on your grill. It’s colorful, fresh and looks pretty on a platter!
You can prep everything ahead of time, placing it all on your platter and then just before your going to serve it, drizzle on the dressing.
I saw this salad in a BHG magazine and what attracted me to it was the broken lasagna noodles, a little different twist on your typical pasta salad which is usually made with bow ties or rotini pasta, plus I really loved the addition of green beans and tiny mozzarella balls.
The combination of flavors take this salad over the top! This could easily be a meal in itself or the perfect side dish for your next cookout. Time to fire up the grill!
- Adapted from BHG magazine
- 8oz. dried lasagna noodles, broken into 3-inch pieces, or 3 cups of any pasta of your choice
- 2 cups fresh, cooked thin green beans, (haricots verts)
- 8 oz. bite size mozzarella balls
- a handful of kalamata olives
- 1 small yellow squash, sliced into thin rounds on a mandolin
- 1 small zucchini squash, sliced into thin rounds on a mandolin
- 1 cup of halved cherry tomatoes, preferably multi colored
- 1 cup of arugula or spinach
- ½ cup of thin sliced red onion
- 2-3 oz, of salami cut into quarters
- Cook the pasta, rinse in cold water and pat dry.
- Arrange all the ingredients onto a nice big platter.
- Drizzle with a Lemon and Olive Oil Dressing or your favorite vinaigrette.
- For Lemon and Olive Oil Dressing.
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- zest of 1 lemon
- 2 or so tablespoons of lemon juice
- pinch of salt and pepper
- 1 garlic clove grated on a microplane
- Whisk it all together until incorporated, feel free to double this!
This is my kind of salad! It looks so satisfying, Marie!
Thanks Marie, I made the salad for a BBQ tonight. Looks lovely!
How many servings is this? Looks wonderful; I’m putting it on my menu next week for my clients.
Sharon, Maybe 6? Depends what else you’re having.
I’m not making anything else to go w/ it. It seems pretty complete to me. Thanks! I’m making it tomorrow.
Question, do you cook the squash or use it raw! Thanks for posting, it was perfect timing!!
It’s raw, but slice it thin Julieann!
I always enjoy your garden in a bowl food. It must be fun at your house.
I am a fan of pasta salads, all of them! and this one is gorgeous!
I love all of your composed salads.
I’ve never been a fan of pasta salads but this could make me a convert. When you’re tired of cooking, Marie, you could have a career as a food stylist. Everything looks so perfect.
What a beautiful version of pasta salad!