PATRIOTIC PASTA SALAD
Patriotic Pasta Salad is a colourful, festive side dish made with red cherry tomatoes, white mozzarella, and blue-dyed pasta. It’s a fun and tasty way to celebrate Independence Day, perfect for cookouts, potlucks, and summer parties.
Ingredients
- 12 oz rotini pasta or bowtie, uncooked
- Red food coloring optional
- Blue food coloring optional
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 cup mozzarella pearls or cubes
- ½ cup chopped red bell pepper
- ¼ cup chopped red onion
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
For the Dressing:
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Cook Pasta:
- Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
Divide & Colour Pasta (Optional):
- Split cooked pasta into 3 bowls. Leave one plain (white), dye one with red food coloring, and the other with blue. Toss each portion gently until coloured. Rinse quickly and drain again to remove excess dye.
Make Dressing:
- Whisk together olive oil, vinegar, mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
Assemble Salad:
- In a large bowl, combine all pasta, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, bell pepper, and onion. Pour dressing over and toss to coat.
Chill & Serve:
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Sprinkle with parsley before serving.
Notes
- Cheese Swap: Use feta or cubed cheddar if you prefer a different flavour.
- Add Protein: Mix in grilled chicken or pepperoni for a heartier salad.
- Make Ahead: Prepare up to 1 day in advance and store chilled.
- Kid-Friendly: Let kids help colour and mix the pasta for a fun kitchen activity.
- Serving Suggestion: Perfect with burgers, hot dogs, or BBQ chicken.