Name: Primavera Pasta Salad
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 3 cups dry rotini pasta ((or similar shape)); 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1/4 cup diced red onion; 1 cup grated peeled carrot; 2 cups broccoli florets; 1 cup diced bell pepper; 1 cup diced tomato; fresh chopped parsley (to garnish); 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (to garnish); salt & pepper (to taste); 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil; 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar; 2 tablespoons lemon juice; 1 teaspoon honey; 1 /2 teaspoon Dijon mustard; 1 clove garlic (minced); 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano; 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley; pinch salt & pepper

Summer dining demands pasta salad! This Primavera Pasta Salad is filled to the brim with veggies and stores well in the fridge, making it the perfect make ahead dish to serve on patios and for potlucks.

Tori holding a bowl of primavera pasta salad

What is Primavera Pasta Salad?

Primavera is Italian for spring! A primavera pasta is typically a medley of vibrant spring vegetables either raw or blanched mixed with cooked pasta and a light sauce or dressing. It seems only natural to transform it into a salad, right?

primavera pasta salad ingredients in a bowl

I mean look at this salad?! It’s like eating the rainbow! I chose all the veggies that I know my family loves (I encourage you to do the same), making this an instant crowd pleaser and kid-friendly favourite.

What Pasta is Best for Pasta Salad?

Of course you can use any noodle, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have a favourite! Short pasta cuts like macaroni, rotini, farfalle (bow-tie), cavatappi or even penne are great for pasta salad. Their small shape mimics the size of other ingredients, making it easy to eat.

primavera pasta salad in a bowl with vibrant vegetables

How to Make the Best Pasta Salad

Here are a couple tried-and-true tips of mine to master the best pasta salad, every time.

Salt your water. Salting your pasta water for cooking pasta is essential. Have you heard the saying that you need to cook your pasta in water “salty as the sea”? It seasons your pasta from the inside out.
Don’t overcook your pasta! You want it to be al dente or “to the bite”.
Pick the right pasta. Like I said above, I love using smaller pasta noodles to make it easier to eat!
Prep ahead (it tastes better). One of the best parts about pasta salad is that it tastes better made in advance! Letting it rest in the fridge allows the flavours to marry together. Yum!

Looking for more simple pasta salad recipes? Here are a couple I love! This Italian Pasta Salad or Grilled Corn Pasta Salad are amazing! Over on Fraiche Table we have this Tortellini Pasta Salad and Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad are also must-tries.