Creamy Italian Pasta Salad, the perfect Summer Pasta recipe made with fresh tomatoes, avocado, zucchini and herbs and a deliciously creamy Homemade Italian Dressing.
Creamy Italian Pasta Salad
Creamy Italian Pasta SaladI don’t know about you but the question of the day is always “what am I going to feed them today”? If we could eat desserts all day I would have no problem!
But seriously, an Italian will not live on just a sandwich. And lunch is the big meal of the day, which in my opinion is the way it should be.
A salad, a couple of pieces of cheese or prosciutto, some bread or leftovers from lunch and dinner is done.
Be sure to watch the Video!
Now lunch is another story, although I have to admit my husband is not a real freak about having a pasta, a meat or fish dish and of course a veggie dish every single day. But I know most Italians are.
Once summer hits, he’s happy with pasta a couple of times a week, now me I could eat the stuff morning, noon and night with a couple of desserts thrown in for good measure.
Creamy Italian Pasta Salad
A couple of weeks ago when I made my Grilled Chicken and Creamy Italian Dressing I knew that dressing would be perfect with this fresh vegetable Creamy Italian Pasta Salad, and it was.
How to make Creamy Homemade Italian Dressing
- In a medium glass jar or small blender combine the milk, mayonnaise, balsamic and spices.
- Shake well or blend until completely combined and creamy.
- Refrigerate for about 30 minutes to combine the flavours.
A Creamy Homemade Dressing mixed with fresh summer vegetables and bow tie pasta, the perfect summer Pasta Salad dinner idea. Fast and Easy and really tasty. Buon Appetito!
More Delicious Summer Salads
Creamy Italian Pasta Salad
Ingredients
CREAMY ITALIAN DRESSING
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (110 grams)
- 1/4 cup milk (57.5)
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar (29.8)
- 3/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon sugar
- 1 clove garlic crushed
- pinch of salt and pepper
FRESH VEGETABLES
- 10-15 cherry tomatoes halved
- 10-15 mini mozzarella balls halved (or a large cubed)
- 3 strips grilled zucchini
- 1 carrot juilienned
- 1/2 avocado sliced
- fresh basil
- 3 cups cooked pasta (bow ties)
Instructions
CREAMY ITALIAN DRESSING
- Mix all ingredients in a glass jar and shake well to combine or mix in a blender. Refrigerate for approximately 30 minutes to combine the flavours.
- Cook pasta in boiling salted water until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water.
PUTTING IT TOGETHER
- In a large bowl add, cooked pasta, cut vegetables, tomatoes, mozzarella add creamy dressing and combine well. Top with fresh basil and serve. Can also be made in advance and refrigerated until serving. Enjoy!
- ** grill strips of zucchini on a grill or bbq.
Nutrition
Updated from May 15, 2017.
Daphina Dixon says
I Rosemary, I made this salad for a birthday dinner and everybody loved it. Can I make the salad the day before. If not can I prepare anything the day before.
Rosemary says
Hi Daphina, thanks so much glad everyone enjoyed it. You could make the dressing before, just put it in a jar and be sure to shake it before using and you could cut up the veggies (zucchini and carrot) be sure to cover them with plastic and refrigerate. I always prefer to make it fresh rather than keep it refrigerated over night. Hope that helps.
Karen says
Delicious! I made it and it’s wonderful…I make a salad that’s similar and I’m loving them both. So versatile and yummy❤️
Rosemary says
Thanks Karen, so glad you enjoyed it. Have a great weekend.