Colorful Pasta Salad
A vibrant, creamy pasta salad featuring colorful pasta, fresh fruits, nuts, and a tangy yogurt dressing, perfect for light lunches or summer gatherings.
Ingredients
- 8 oz. tri-colored pasta twists ⓘ
- 2 c. low-fat plain yogurt
- 3 Tbsp. lemon juice ⓘ
- 2 tsp. sugar ⓘ
- pinch of salt ⓘ
- 1 c. whipping cream ⓘ
- 1 3/4 oz. Emmentaler cheese, rind removed and cut in thin strips ⓘ
- 1/3 c. chopped walnuts ⓘ
- 1 1/4 c. seedless red grapes, sliced ⓘ
- 1 pear, sliced ⓘ
- 1 red apple, sliced ⓘ
Instructions
- Cook pasta in boiling, salted water until just tender, following package directions; drain.
- Mix low-fat plain yogurt, lemon juice, sugar, and a pinch of salt together.
- Whip the cream until stiff and stir into the yogurt mixture.
- Combine cheese, walnuts, sliced red grapes, sliced pear, sliced red apple, cooked pasta, and yogurt mixture in a large bowl.
- Separate endive into leaves, then tear into pieces.
- Arrange endive leaves on 4 salad plates.
- Spoon the pasta salad on top of the endive leaves and serve.
Tips & Substitutions
For a creamier texture, consider adding more yogurt or using Greek yogurt instead of low-fat plain yogurt. If you want to reduce calories, substitute the whipping cream with more yogurt or use a lower-fat cream alternative. You can also add other colorful vegetables like bell peppers or cucumbers for extra crunch. For a nut-free version, replace walnuts with sunflower seeds.
Serving Suggestions
This colorful pasta salad is perfect as a light lunch or a side dish at barbecues and picnics. It pairs beautifully with grilled chicken or fish. For a vegetarian option, serve with Geneva'S Cornbread for a hearty meal. Garnish with fresh herbs or additional nuts for added flavor and texture.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors will meld and enhance over time. To serve, give it a gentle stir, and if it seems dry, add a splash of yogurt or lemon juice to refresh the dressing before serving.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Colorful Pasta Salad contains roughly 269 calories, with 5g protein, 26g carbohydrates, and 18g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (68% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A and dietary fiber. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1783mg per serving (78% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this pasta salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the pasta salad a day in advance. Just keep the dressing separate until you're ready to serve to prevent the pasta from becoming mushy. Mix everything together right before serving to ensure freshness.
What can I substitute for Emmentaler cheese?
If you can't find Emmentaler cheese, Gruyère or a mild cheddar make excellent substitutes. Both will add a similar creamy texture and rich flavor to the salad.
Is this pasta salad suitable for vegetarian diets?
Yes, this pasta salad is vegetarian as it contains no meat products. For a vegan version, replace the yogurt and cream with plant-based alternatives like cashew cream or coconut yogurt.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).