Make use of all those fresh summer vegetables with this light and flavorful Grilled Summer Vegetable Pasta Salad with Lemon-Basil Vinaigrette.
I’ve used zucchini, yellow squash, red bell pepper, and red onion, but you can pretty much use any vegetable you have in your garden or your refrigerator. Eggplant and broccoli would also work well as would some corn.
I threw the vegetables on a grill pan to soften them up and get that nice char that really brings out their flavor. I also added some grape tomatoes, (didn’t grill them but you definitely could), and some fresh grated Parmesan cheese.
The dressing is a light and fresh Lemon-Basil Vinaigrette that really complements the flavor of the vegetables and isn’t at all heavy.
Pasta salad makes the perfect summer side dish, or even light meal, and I find myself making it almost weekly during the summer. Leftovers are a great way to feed hungry teenagers who seem to become ravenous at unexpected times without warning.
There are so many variations of pasta salad, I don’t think I will ever tire of it. Some of my other favorites besides Summer Vegetable Pasta Salad are Caesar Pasta Salad, Cobb Pasta Salad, Greek Pasta Salad, and Easy Macaroni Salad.
What is your favorite pasta salad variation?
Grilled Summer Vegetable Pasta Salad with Lemon-Basil Vinaigrette
Ingredients
- 1 yellow squash
- 1 zucchini
- 1 red onion
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- salt and pepper
- 1 pound corkscrew pasta
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1/2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 cup olive oil or vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup julienned fresh basil
- 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup grape tomatoes
Instructions
- Cut yellow squash and zucchini in half lengthwise and then into half moon shapes. Cut red bell pepper and red onion into approximately 2-inch chunks. Place together in a medium bowl and toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. When hot add vegetables. Grill until they develop nice grill marks and then flip over and continue to cook until softened. Place in a large bowl.
- While vegetables are grilling, bring a large pot of water with at least 1 tablespoon of salt to a boil. Cook pasta to al dente. Drain pasta and rinse with water. Drain well and add to bowl with grilled vegetables.
- In a medium bowl, combine lemon juice, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, sugar, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and thyme. Gradually whisk in oil. Add basil.
- Pour dressing over pasta and vegetables. Add tomatoes and Parmesan cheese. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
What a pretty pasta salad! And just love a lemon basil vinaigrette. Pinning!
Thank you Geraldine! There’s something about a lemon basil combination that’s just so perfect for summer 🙂
Love cavatappi–this pasta makes everything taste great, and texture is perfect!
This salad is so beautiful! Looks perfect. Pinned!
Your salad looks great!! Can we add some feta cheese!!
Michael 🙂
https://michaelswoodcraft.wordpress.com/2014/07/29/vanilla-ice-cream-2/
Thanks Michael! Some feta cheese would be wonderful in it! 🙂
Mmmmmm i love lemon-based dressings – perfect for summer!
I love pasta salad in the summer…esp when it involves tons of fresh basil. That scent is like heaven to me 🙂
This is looking so refreshing and healthy. I would like to try this recipe for my daughters.. I am curious if they would like it. They love pasta so this might be a winner.
What a beautiful salad!! In a zucchini/eggplant mode and I think I would pick those out first and eat them especially in that vinaigrette!
Such a gorgeous pasta salad! I love all the pretty veggies in here and the lemon-basil dressing sounds so light and tasty!
Must get over my fear of The Grill!!! This salad is just one more reason I have to venture outside to cook 🙂 Looks delicious!