I mentioned last week that I am obsessed with the little sweet peppers (you can read it here), so this pasta salad recipe from Peas & Crayons was right up my alley. My sister Beth over at Life is a Run introduced me to this dish called the Confetti Pasta Salad. I adore that name and would never have come up with something that clever; since mine was all about the peppers and I am not a tomato fan, I call my version Sweet Pepper Pasta Salad. If you’re not a tomato wuss like I am the definitely check out the original recipe (click here), but here is how I made it:
Sweet Pepper Pasta Salad
1 box tri-colored rotini pasta
2 cups (uncooked) whole wheat elbow macaroni
1 cucumber
1 package sweet peppers (approximately 15-20 peppers)
1 Lemon
Dressing:
1/4 C white vinegar
1/4 C extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp Italian Seasoning Mix
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp salt
Pepper to taste
This has to be one of the easiest meals I’ve ever made. You cook the pasta according to package. Well, sorta, I always cook the pasta for one minute less than the directions say so that the noodles aren’t all soggy.
While the water is boiling and the pasta is cooking, I first make the dressing so that all the ingredients have time to mingle together. Whisk it a few times to really mix the oil and vinegar.
Set it to the side and get to chopping. I decided to use my mandolin to cut the peppers into even ringlets; just watch your fingers! Next I sliced the cucumbers and then quartered those slices. The first time I made this salad I also added in 1/2 of a red onion.
Toss all fo the slices of peppers and cucumbers into a bowl with the pasta and drizzle the dressing on top. Squeeze the juice from the lemon onto the mixture and add fresh parmesan cheese. Mix it all together and you’ll be in love!
This salad is so light and refreshing that it is the perfect addition to any backyard BBQ or summer gathering. I know I plan to make the Sweet Pepper Pasta Salad over and over again!
Be prepared to see many more of my recipes served in this beautiful china. It was my grandmother’s and I plan to use it every chance I get.
Thanks again for sharing this recipe Peas & Crayons, can’t wait to give more of your recipes a try!
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