5 Ingredient Summer Pasta Salad

A light, no mayo pasta salad you can take to your next cookout.   Summery goodness filled with zucchini, tomatoes, artichoke hearts and bow tie pasta dressed in a light vinaigrette.

Ok, maybe six ingredient pasta salad.  I added capers.  The vinaigrette?  That’s a given so it doesn’t count…in my opinion.

Right about now I bet you’re asking, “where’s the cheese?”  Maybe I’m a rebel but I prefer no cheese on my pasta salad.  Sorry.  But feel free to add your favorite cheese.  Feta or fresh mozzarella would be an excellent choice here.

I sliced the zucchini really thin.  Why?  The small, thin slices absorb the vinaigrette flavors better which makes for a better mouth feel.  Big hunks of raw zucchini vs. small thin slices that absorb the flavors?….you decide.

Artichoke hearts are a different story.  I can pop those in my mouth like candy…or like these olive poppers.

But most people don’t share my love for artichokes so small pieces it is.

Anyway, I love making this type of pasta salad throughout the Summer.  It’s light and healthy so I feel like I’m doing a good thing.  Pasta and moderation – they work well together.

I like to keep it in the fridge for a quick fix when we’re in a hurry and for my Mr. to be able to just grab something to eat when I’m not home.

Dig in.

4 Ingredient Summer Pasta Salad

Recipe by Allspice and NutmegCourse: Uncategorized

Servingsservings

Prep timeminutes

Cooking timeminutes

Calorieskcal

Ingredients

• Salad

• 8 oz. bow tie pasta or pasta of choice

• 1 cup grape tomatoes sliced

• 1 large zucchini sliced thin

• 1 can artichoke hearts sliced thin

• 1 tablespoon capers chopped

• 2 green onions sliced

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

• Vinaigrette

• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

• 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions

• Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain the liquid and transfer cooked pasta to a bowl large enough to mix in the ingredients.
• Meanwhile combine the vinaigrette ingredients. Adjust the amounts of vinegar or oil to taste.
• Assemble the salad. Pour on some of the vinaigrette. Adjust seasonings to taste. Adjust amount of vinaigrette to taste.
• Enjoy!