Pasta Plentiful Salad
A vibrant pasta salad featuring fresh vegetables, hard-boiled eggs, and a tangy tarragon vinaigrette, perfect for picnics, potlucks, or light summer meals.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup tarragon wine vinegar ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons water ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil
- 1 teaspoon basil ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 3/4 teaspoon garlic salt ⓘ
- 6 ounces wheel-shaped pasta ⓘ
- 6 hard-boiled eggs ⓘ
- 1 cup chopped broccoli ⓘ
- 3/4 cup chopped tomatoes ⓘ
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots ⓘ
- fresh spinach leaves (optional) ⓘ
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine tarragon wine vinegar, water, cooking oil, basil, oregano, and garlic salt to make the dressing.
- Add the cooked and drained pasta, hard-boiled eggs, chopped broccoli, chopped tomatoes, and shredded carrots to the bowl.
- Lightly toss until all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Cover and chill the salad to allow flavors to blend.
- Garnish with fresh spinach leaves, if desired, before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider substituting red wine vinegar for tarragon wine vinegar. You can also use fresh herbs instead of dried for a vibrant taste. If you're short on time, pre-packaged mixed salad greens can enhance the salad's freshness. To make it heartier, add some chickpeas or grilled chicken. This salad is a great option for summer picnics or barbecues.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this Pasta Plentiful Salad as a main dish or as a side to grilled meats for a delightful meal. It pairs beautifully with Mediterranean recipes, making it an excellent choice for summer gatherings. Consider adding a side of crusty bread or a light dessert like Apricots With Yogurt to complete the meal.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To maintain freshness, avoid mixing in the dressing until you're ready to serve. If the salad seems dry after refrigeration, add a splash of vinegar or oil to revive it before serving.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Pasta Plentiful Salad contains roughly 563 calories, with 7g protein, 43g carbohydrates, and 45g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (139% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (63% of the Daily Value), and iron (60% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein. It also contributes 18g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
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 salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the salad a day in advance. Just be sure to store the dressing separately and mix it in right before serving. This allows the pasta and vegetables to absorb flavors without becoming soggy.
What can I substitute for hard-boiled eggs?
If you're looking for an alternative to hard-boiled eggs, consider using cubed tofu for a vegetarian option or diced grilled chicken for added protein. Both will complement the other ingredients well.
Is this salad suitable for meal prepping?
Absolutely! This salad is great for meal prepping. Just keep the dressing separate until you're ready to eat. Portion it into meal containers for easy grab-and-go lunches throughout the week.
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).