Holiday Menu: 7 Ideas for Original Pasta Salads

On vacation, the best meals are often the simplest. And among the essentials, the pasta salad stands out as the gourmet and generous option. Easy to prepare, it stands out for its versatility and its ability to appeal to all palates. To inspire you, here is a selection of 7 summer pasta salad recipes.

A summer dish

Pasta salad is a summer and holiday staple. Served cold or at room temperature, they are ideal for hot days. Easy to transport, they are perfect for picnics, barbecues and outdoor meals. They can be easily adapted according to tastes and diets, using different types of pasta and varying the ingredients. We can never repeat it enough, but always choose seasonal and good quality products. Your salad will only be better.

Gourmet pasta salads

A good pasta salad relies on a few key ingredients. First, pasta, the star ingredient of the recipe. Any pasta can be used, but often, short pastas like fusilli, penne, farfalle or tortellini are best. They hold the sauce better and the ingredients blend together more evenly. For a healthier option that is suitable for certain diets, try whole-wheat or gluten-free pasta.

Also add crunchy, colorful vegetables for texture and freshness. Cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes, peppers, carrots, and zucchini are for example very good options. For a sweet and sour salad, don’t hesitate to add fruits such as strawberries or nectarines. Also include nuts and seeds for a crunchy texture.

For a more complete salad, you can add proteins like chicken, ham, tuna, eggs, but also chickpeas, or cheese like feta, mozzarella or even stronger cheeses like goat or blue.

Finally, what would a salad be without seasoning? Seasoning is the final touch that should not be overlooked. It can be simple, based on olive oil and lemon juice, or more complex with a yogurt and Espelette pepper sauce for example or a mustard and honey vinaigrette. Don’t skimp on fresh herbs, such as basil, parsley, and mint, which will immediately enhance the flavors of your preparation. Also add condiments like capers, chopped gherkins or olives which add lots of flavor and texture.