This recipe for a super easy and delicious pasta salad is one of my favorite summer BBQ dishes to make. It’s loaded with my favorite veggies and can be served as a side dish as is. Or you can add a protein and make it a meal.

I have even made this recipe for some really large parties including last year’s Fourth of July party and all of my kids’ high school graduation parties. And by large – I mean a guest list of 75-100 people (obviously I tripled the recipe for those parties ;)).

Jump to Recipe

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Grocery List of Ingredients

If you have some favorite vegetables and cheeses, this recipe is super flexible in being able to add whatever you love.

I am pretty particular when it comes to cheeses so the only cheese I add to this recipe is grated parmesan. And I am also not a fan of tomatoes soooo I take those out as well ;0.

• Tri color rotini
• Grated parmesan cheese
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Cucumber
• Red onion
• Celery
• Carrots
• Olive oil
• Red wine vinegar
• Garlic (if jar – minced)
• Basil
• Oregano

Optional additions:

• Monterey jack cheese
• Tomatoes
• Salami
• Chicken

The Recipe

Shortcuts to Keep it Easy

Here are the shortcuts I take to make this recipe quick and easy:

• The large bowl in the above photos is the entire bag of pasta which required me to triple my recipe ingredients.
• Buy the broccoli florets and cauliflower already cut up in a bag from the produce section of your local grocery store if available
• Buy the carrots already shredded from the produce section as well (huge timesaver!)
• I always keep a jar of minced garlic in my refrigerator so that I don’t have to bother with crushing garlic for any recipes
• You can use any type of pasta for this salad however the tri color veggie pasta looks the best 😉
• If you add tomatoes – be careful they aren’t too juicy and watery
• To make this recipe a meal – dice up salami or cooked chicken breast and add before you add the dressing

My Favorite Kitchen Supplies

I hope you enjoy this easy and delicious pasta recipe as much as I do. If you end up making it – please be sure to leave me your review in the comments below!

I actually got this recipe from a friend over THIRTY years ago when I was a newlywed and remember thinking back then – wow what an easy and tasty simple salad!!

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