When it comes to dinners, I think we all would agree that easy and versatile are always good! In my quest for healthy meals that fit the description of easy and versatile, this salad has quickly become a favorite in the rotation. Because we do a lot of grilling, I like finding side dishes that can be made while the rest of dinner is grilling.
This grilled summer vegetable pasta salad is quick and easy to throw together while you’re grilling your meat. The veggies just take minutes to cook and the pasta can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator. Just toss the pasta with the dressing to keep it from sticking together. Stir in the vegetables when they’re done and refrigerate until ready to serve with the rest of the meal.
Feel free to use whatever peppers you have on hand if you don’t have sweet peppers. Also, any kind of pasta will work. We have used spaghetti and penne before and both tasted great. If you don’t feel like starting up your grill, you can roast the veggies in the oven or saute them on the skillet. Mix in some leftover shredded chicken and you have a meal ready in 10-15 minutes!
- 6-7 oz. whole wheat/grain pasta, cooked and drained according to box
- ⅓ C Italian dressing of your choice
- ½ lb yellow summer squash, sliced and quartered
- ½ lb zucchini, sliced and quartered
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- 5-6 small sweet peppers
- grated Parmesan cheese, for topping
- In a large bowl, toss cooked pasta with Italian dressing. Set aside.
- Combine yellow squash and zucchini together in a bowl. Toss with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until well-coated.
- Place vegetables into a grill basket. Place on grill over medium heat. Grill for 5-7 minutes or until vegetables just start to char. Give vegetables a stir halfway through cooking. Remove from heat and cool.
- Place sweet peppers on grill over medium heat. Grill until peppers start to char on all sides, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool until able to handle. Peel and remove skins. If you want to keep more of the grill flavor, leave some of the skin on. Slice peppers into ½ to 1 inch pieces.
- Add grilled vegetables and peppers to pasta and stir to combine. Place in the refrigerator and allow to cool for one hour to allow flavors to blend.
- Right before serving, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
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Yes, please! This looks awesome!
Hooray for summer veggies! This dish looks amazing x
Just set up our grill (I know, just in time for the end of the summer) so this will be perfect for this weekend!!
I am crazy about grilled vegetables, they flavor is unbeatable. Those little bell peppers are the best! Great side dish Jesica!
I’m thinkin’ this needs to show up on my plate tonight for dinner. Love me some grilled veggies!
This is so my kind of dish! I love adding grilled veggies to things! This will definitely be happening in our house.
This looks so gorgeous and summery. We’ve just entered our spring season here in Australia so I am looking forward to eating gorgeous salads like this over the next few months. Love the look of the wholesome veggies with the pasta and parmesan. Simple but delicious! x
This makes me wish my husband wasn’t so veggie-averse, I’d love to eat this all summer! I guess I still could but it’d have to be for lunch 🙂
Looks like THEE perfect summer meal. Love me some good grilled veggies.
I love any kind of pasta salad and veggies1
We (sigh) don’t have a grill but I love the sound of this pasta salad…and may have to co-opt my mother’s the next time I’m over so I can make it!
An absolutely perfect summer dish-yum!
This fresh kind of pasta dish is right up my street! Yum 🙂
I buy those peppers too! This looks like our kind of meal!
Combining veggies and pasta is nothing new, but grilling the veggies is such an awesome (and delicious) idea! That must add such great flavor.
I love pasta salads like this. So simple and fresh!
This sounds like a wonderful weeknight dinner! YUM!
Lovely and healthy pasta salad!!