Easy Ditalini Pasta Salad Recipe: A Fresh Summer Treat

Summer barbecues come alive with this zesty ditalini pasta salad that brings vibrant flavors to any gathering.

Packed with crisp vegetables and tangy dressing, the salad offers a refreshing twist on classic picnic fare.

Tiny tube-shaped pasta creates the perfect base for a medley of colorful ingredients.

Each bite delivers a delightful combination of textures and tastes that dance across your palate.

Chopped bell peppers, red onions, and fresh herbs add brightness and crunch to this easy-to-prepare dish.

The light and creamy dressing ties everything together with a subtle zing.

You’ll find this pasta salad disappearing quickly at potlucks and summer parties.

Get ready to become the star of your next outdoor meal with this crowd-pleasing recipe.

Why Ditalini Pasta Salad Is So Fun and Fresh

• Perfect for beginners with simple ingredients and straightforward preparation steps that anyone can master without advanced cooking skills.
• Versatile recipe allows easy substitutions of vegetables or dressing components, making it adaptable to personal taste preferences or dietary needs.
• Ideal for summer gatherings, picnics, barbecues, and family reunions where guests appreciate a refreshing and satisfying side dish that travels well.
• Excellent make-ahead option that tastes even better after chilling, allowing busy home cooks to prepare in advance and enjoy convenient, delicious meals.

What You’ll Need for a Zesty Ditalini Salad

• Ditalini Pasta: Small tube-shaped pasta that provides a perfect bite-sized foundation for this salad.

• Red Bell Pepper, Green Bell Pepper: Colorful vegetables that add crunch and sweetness to the salad.
• Red Onion: Sharp and zesty ingredient that provides a bold flavor accent.
• Celery: Crisp vegetable that introduces a refreshing crunch to the pasta salad.
• English Cucumber: Mild and cool vegetable that contributes a light and fresh texture.

• Mayonnaise: Creamy base that creates a smooth and rich dressing texture.
• Dijon Mustard: Tangy condiment that adds depth and sharpness to the dressing.
• Red Wine Vinegar: Acidic ingredient that balances and brightens the overall flavor profile.
• Sugar: Subtle sweetener that helps harmonize the dressing's complex taste.
• Salt: Essential seasoning that enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
• Black Pepper: Spicy seasoning that provides a gentle heat and complexity.
• Garlic Powder: Aromatic seasoning that adds a warm and savory undertone.
• Paprika: Mild spice that introduces a subtle warmth and reddish color to the dressing.

Steps to Toss the Perfect Pasta Salad

Step 1: Boil Pasta to Perfection

Fill a big pot with water and crank up the heat to high.

Toss in a sprinkle of salt to give your pasta some extra love.

When the water’s bubbling like crazy, dump in the ditalini pasta.

Stir occasionally and cook until it’s just right, following the package guidelines.

Step 2: Cool Down the Pasta

Drain the pasta in a colander, then give it a refreshing shower with cold water.

This quick rinse stops the cooking and prevents a mushy mess.

Plus, it washes away any clingy starch, keeping your pasta looking and tasting amazing.

Step 3: Craft the Creamy Dressing

• Mayonnaise
• Dijon mustard
• Red wine vinegar
• Sugar
• Salt
• Ground black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Paprika

Whisk everything until it’s smooth and looks like a dream sauce that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Step 4: Chop and Toss Veggies

• Bell peppers
• Red onion
• Celery
• English cucumber

Toss these crisp beauties into a large mixing bowl with your cooled pasta.

Step 5: Marry the Flavors

Pour that luscious dressing over your pasta and veggie mix.

Gently fold everything together so each morsel gets a loving coat of creamy goodness.

Step 6: Chill and Thrill

Cover the bowl and pop it in the fridge.

Let the flavors mingle and get to know each other for a bit.

When you’re ready to serve, you’ll have a cool, tangy pasta salad that’ll be the star of any meal or gathering.

Tips to Keep It Light, Crisp, and Flavorful

• Rinse ditalini pasta with cold water immediately after cooking to stop the cooking process and prevent sticking.
• Whisk the dressing ingredients thoroughly to ensure a smooth, well-blended flavor that coats every pasta piece evenly.
• Dice vegetables into uniform, small pieces to create a balanced texture and ensure each bite has a mix of ingredients.
• Let the pasta salad rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld and intensify.
• Add fresh herbs like chopped parsley or dill just before serving to bring a bright, zesty note to the dish.

How to Store Pasta Salad So It Doesn’t Go Soggy

• Transfer pasta salad to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Avoid freezing this pasta salad due to mayonnaise-based dressing, which separates and becomes watery when thawed. Vegetables and pasta will lose their crisp texture.
• Consume cold for best taste. If slightly warmed is preferred, gently stir and let sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes. Add a small splash of fresh vinegar or olive oil to revive the dressing's consistency.
• Before serving leftovers, give the salad a quick stir and potentially add a tablespoon of fresh dressing to restore moisture and brighten flavors that might have dulled during refrigeration.

Sides That Work With This Light Salad

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a chilled sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio to complement the creamy, tangy dressing and cut through the richness of the mayonnaise-based sauce.
• Serve with Grilled Protein Companion: Add a side of grilled chicken breast or light fish like tilapia to enhance the pasta salad's refreshing profile and provide a protein boost.
• Match with Fresh Summer Salad: Create a light green salad with mixed herbs and a lemon vinaigrette to balance the pasta salad's creamy texture and add a zesty, herbaceous dimension.
• Complement with Chilled Rosé: Choose a dry, crisp rosé wine that offers a perfect summer drink pairing, its light fruity notes harmonizing with the salad's vegetable and dressing flavors.

Easy Ways to Put a Spin on Ditalini Pasta Salad

• Gluten-Free Pasta Option: Swap traditional ditalini pasta with gluten-free rice or corn-based ditalini pasta to accommodate celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals.
• Vegan Version: Replace mayonnaise with cashew cream or vegan mayonnaise, and add extra vegetables like roasted chickpeas for protein to create a plant-based alternative.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Variation: Substitute Dijon mustard with Greek yogurt, add kalamata olives, crumbled feta cheese, and fresh herbs like oregano to transform the salad into a Mediterranean-style dish.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Replace pasta with spiralized zucchini or cauliflower rice, and increase protein content by adding grilled chicken or tofu cubes to maintain a satisfying meal structure.

FAQs

• Is ditalini pasta necessary for this recipe?

Ditalini pasta is ideal, but you can substitute with other small pasta shapes like elbow macaroni or small shells if ditalini isn’t available.

• How do I prevent my pasta salad from becoming dry?

Always add dressing while pasta is slightly warm and mix thoroughly. The pasta absorbs the dressing better when it’s not completely cold, ensuring a moist and flavorful result.

• Can I make this pasta salad ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare this salad up to 2 days in advance. The flavors actually improve as they meld together in the refrigerator, making it perfect for meal prep or potlucks.

• What can I add to make this pasta salad more protein-rich?

Consider adding diced cooked chicken, ham, salami, or chickpeas to increase the protein content and make the salad more substantial as a main dish.

Ditalini Pasta Salad Recipe

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4.8 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Mediterranean-inspired Ditalini Pasta Salad brings zesty flavors together in one delightful dish, combining fresh herbs, crisp vegetables, and tangy feta cheese. Packed with protein and refreshing ingredients, you’ll enjoy this light yet satisfying meal perfect for summer gatherings or quick lunches.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ditalini pasta
• 1/2 tablespoon (7.5 milliliters) salt (for pasta water)

Vegetables:

• 1 red or green bell pepper, diced
• 1/4 cup (40 grams) diced red onion
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 1 cup (150 grams) English cucumber, diced

Dressing and Seasonings:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon (12.5 grams) sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon (1.5 grams) salt
• 1/4 teaspoon (0.5 grams) ground black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon (0.5 grams) garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon (0.5 grams) paprika

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Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of water to a vigorous boil, seasoning with salt to elevate the pasta’s taste. Add ditalini pasta and cook until tender, stirring periodically to prevent clumping, following package instructions.
2. Drain pasta in a colander and immediately rinse with cold water to halt cooking and remove excess starch. This technique ensures the pasta remains perfectly textured and doesn’t become sticky.
3. Craft the dressing by whisking mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, red wine vinegar, sugar, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika in a medium bowl until smooth and fully integrated.
4. Transfer cooled pasta to a spacious mixing bowl. Incorporate diced bell peppers, red onion, celery, and cucumber, gently mixing to distribute vegetables evenly throughout the pasta.
5. Pour prepared dressing over the pasta-vegetable mixture, using a spatula to thoroughly coat each ingredient, ensuring every morsel is infused with the creamy, tangy dressing.
6. Seal the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Chilling allows flavors to meld and intensify, transforming the salad into a refreshingly cool dish perfect for any gathering or summer meal.

Notes

• Swap mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or vegan alternatives for a lighter, healthier version that reduces calories and adds protein.
• Dice vegetables uniformly to ensure consistent texture and even distribution throughout the pasta salad.
• Allow salad to marinate for at least 30 minutes before serving to enhance flavor absorption and develop deeper taste profiles.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 410 mg
• Fat: 17 g
• Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg