It’s that time of year again—the Fourth of July is coming up soon! This wonderful day isn’t just about enjoying America’s independence. It’s also about getting together with family, going to parades, watching fireworks, and, of course, eating! Speaking of food, have you decided what you’re going to eat for the holidays? If not, we’ll help you out. This year, let’s turn up the heat in the kitchen (without breaking a sweat!) with our easy-peasy and very refreshing Summer Pasta Salad. This delicious dish is sure to be a hit at your Fourth of July party.
Summar Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 8 oz of your favorite pasta
- 1 cup of cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 cucumber diced
- 1 bell pepper diced
- 1/2 cup of your favorite cheese cubed (we recommend mozzarella)
- 1/4 cup of red onion finely chopped
Dressing
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp vinegar
- 1 tbsp mustard
- salt and pepper to taste.
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Rinse under cold water to cool.
- Combine the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, cheese, and red onion in a large bowl.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss until well coated.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutritional Information (Per Serving – 1 cup):
- Calories: 250
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Protein: 6g
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 4g
Notes/Advice:
- Additions/Subtractions:
- Feel free to mix and match your favorite vegetables—zucchini, carrots, or snap peas would be great additions.
- If you prefer a tangier salad, add a bit more vinegar or lemon juice to the dressing.
- This salad is versatile and can easily be adapted to whatever fresh produce is in season.
You can try different things with this simple recipe. For more energy, you can add grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu. If you like things to be a little spicy, add some sliced jalapeños or a little hot sauce. Some olives or pickles could make the dish taste even better. There are a lot of different things you can do, and every change you make gives you a new taste profile to try.
Family Fun
The Summer Pasta Salad isn’t just delicious; it’s also an opportunity to turn meal preparation into a fun-filled family affair. Here’s how you can do it:
- Kid-Friendly Chef: Let your little ones choose the pasta shapes. They’ll have a blast picking out their favorites, and this will make the salad even more appealing to them. They can also help wash the veggies and stir the salad together.
- Pasta Salad Bar: Set up a DIY pasta salad bar with different veggies, proteins, and dressings. Everyone can make their own personalized pasta salad, just the way they like it!
- Taste Test: Have a family taste-testing competition. Each person gets to create their own variation of the salad, and everyone votes on their favorite.
The Fourth of July is a special day for laughing with family and eating tasty food. And what could be better than a Summer Pasta Salad that everyone can make their own way that is cool, refreshing, and full of flavor? This dish will not only please your taste buds, but it will also help you and your family make memories that will last a lifetime.
That’s what the holiday is all about. So, on July 4, get into the idea of independence. Enjoy!
