Sunday, July 16, 2017

Pasta Salad with Olives and Veggies


Sometimes you need an easy go-to recipe to serve on those hot hot hot summer nights when you just don't feel like doing any real cooking. Pasta (gluten free of course) salad seems to be that recipe for me.

This Mediterranean style salad is flavorful, fragrant and can be made in advance. We enjoy it paired with  cold soup  or cheese and ( GF) crackers.

Since the salad contains carbs, protein, and lots of veggies, you could actually eat it as your entree. Although I added crumbled feta cheese, omit it to make this a vegan salad.

Omit the cheese if you are vegan
I used red peppers, red onions, olives, fresh basil, tomatoes, celery, scallions, cucumbers, and feta cheese , but feel free to add or substitute any vegetable that you prefer like peas, carrots, radishes, capers, chopped raw broccoli, raw sliced mushrooms, marinated artichokes etc.


Because this recipe can be served at room temperature, it's a great recipe to bring to a pot luck dinner or BBQ-

If you make your pasta in advance, then the prep is just like making a simple salad!



I toss the salad with homemade Italian dressing or try my bold lemon dressing and it is absolutely delcious . 

Where do I get my gluten free pasta? 

 Trader Joe's and Aldi's carry a variety of gluten free pastas at very reasonable prices. 

I recently started shopping in Aldi's and was pleasantly surprised to find a huge selection of gluten free items ( breads, wraps, crackers, snacks made from decent ingredients) Aldi's also has many organic packaged products and produce.

If you want to cut back on the carbs in this recipe, omit the pasta and substitute florettes of lightly cooked cauliflower.


Enjoy!


Author: Judee Algazi @ Gluten Free A-Z Blog
Prep Time: 10-15 minutes to cut up vegetables
Cook Time: 25 minutes to cook and drain GF pasta
Serves: 6-8

Ingredients: 

12 ounces of uncooked GF pasta, boiled and drained
1 cup of chopped tomatoes
1 cup of sliced cucumbers
1/2 cup of diced celery
1/2 cup pitted Greek olives , chopped
1/4 cup of chopped scallions
1/3 cup of diced red onions
1/4 cup of freshly chopped basil
1/2 cup of diced red peppers
3/4 cup of crumbled feta cheese
Optional: top with slices of avocado

Directions: 
Cook and drain GF pasta according to package directions.
In a large mixing bowl, mix together the list of the ingredients with the pasta.
Toss with 1/4 of Italian dressing or my bold lemon dressing.
Taste best served at room temperature.

Linked to : Souper Sunday ( soup, salad, sandwich blog carnival) and Weekend Cooking at Beth Fish 

These are great cutting boards because they are so lightweight, I even take them with me when I travel.  I love having color coded cutting boards. These are light yet durable and store easily. Also BPA free
Premium 4 Piece Cutting Board Set with Stand - Dishwasher Safe - Color Coded - Microban - BPA FREE

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35 comments:

  1. Absolutely a great recipe for a hot summer night---pasta salads are great for summer. Love the flavors in yours with all the fresh veggies!

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    Replies
    1. Debra,
      Thank you . I think we are all feeling the heat right now and looking for easy to make recipes

      Delete
  2. Your recipes look great. I love the idea of the cranberry slaw. Thanks for visiting Buttercupland and your great suggestions.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Carol,
      Good luck with Buttercupland. I enjoyed reading your post and can identify with what you were feeling.

      Delete
  3. That looks like a perfect summer time meal..Italian dressing sounds awesome with pasta, but I would love to try that bold lemon dressing!

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    Replies
    1. Whoa- the bold lemon dressing with lemon zest is absolutely fabulous.

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  4. Replies
    1. Thanks Michael. I don't usually eat pasta, but once in a while it just hits the spot

      Delete
  5. Hi!
    This looks so refreshing for a hot summer day!

    Hope to see you soon back at Dreaming!

    M : )

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  6. Hi Melinda,
    It really has been hot here and this is the perfect simple type of meal.

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  7. I LOVE pasta salad! This looks delicious, and is similar to mine, but I never thought to add fresh basil leaves. That must make an amazing difference! I'm trying that next time. Thanks!

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    Replies
    1. Pattie,
      I think the fresh basil does add something.. I love this time of the year when the basil so available.

      Delete
  8. Perfect for summer, Judee. We use gluten free pasta quite a bit too and I like Trader Joe's store.
    You ought to hook up your post with Deb's Souper Sunday as she highlights soups, salads and sandwich posts!

    She is at Kahakai Kitchen. I'm linking up tomorrow. :-)
    http://kahakaikitchen.blogspot.com/2017/07/asian-style-cucumber-soup-cool-and.html

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    Replies
    1. Tina,
      Thank you for this information, but I already linked with Deb. I link with her whenever I have a soup or salad.

      Delete
  9. I love pasta salads in the summer. I have my go-to pasta salad with feta cheese and chicken, but this looks lovely, too.

    https://readerbuzz.blogspot.com/2017/07/the-perfect-bread-recipe-and-its-from.html

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  10. This would be absolutely perfect for hot summer nights, starting tonight. I do believe we've got all necessary ingredients.

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    Replies
    1. Hope that you like it.. Please let me know what you think of this pasta salad

      Delete
  11. thant's a big salad, all right. Cheers

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    Replies
    1. I guess it was a big salad! But it's perfect for a group especially at a pot luck

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  12. Bookmarking this for my next potluck. I love this recipe!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. Please feel free to pin this recipe so you can keep track of it..

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  13. Hi Judee,
    I just love this combination for a great Pasta Salad, this is a great summer recipe! I sure appreciate you sharing with us at Full Plate Thursday. Have a great week and come back soon!
    Miz Helen

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Miz Helen- I love to visit and share on Full Plate Thursday where there are always wonderful ideas and recipes

      Delete
  14. I made a big Greek Tortellini Salad and shared some with my sons and their girlfriends, we all love it.

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  15. It looks very fresh and tasty. I do love a good pasta salad on a warm summer's day or night. Thanks for sharing it with Souper Sundays this week! ;-)

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    Replies
    1. Deb,
      Thanks for hosting Souper Sundays. I really enjoy your blog and participating in your Sunday soup, salad, or sammie linky.

      Delete
  16. Great for summer evenings. Now I have a craving!

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    1. Beth,
      I know what you mean. There is something about pasta that does bring on those cravings

      Delete
  17. Printing this out to try this week, sounds like the perfect summer dinner! Thanks for sharing on Homestead Blog Hop!

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  18. This salad looks so colourful and delicious it will definitely be on my list. I also love your table setting. Thanks for sharing with us at #overthemoon and have a lovely day.

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  19. Oh ny goodness, Judee, this pasta salad looks absolutely delicious! I love Mediterranean flavours like this! And is that your porch? It's gorgeous!! Thank you so much for sharing with us at Hearth and Soul. Shared on the H&S Facebook page. Hope to 'see' you back at Hearth & Soul when we return from summer break on Monday 7th August. Have a lovely week ahead!

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  20. I love a pasta salad, especially with feta and olives. We are off to Greece soon. Can't wait.

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  21. Looks very yummy. The place for meal is beautifully prepared.

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