This is a simple cold pasta salad with trotolle pasta that comes together in 45 minutes. Topped with an easy lemon vinaigrette. Perfect vegan dinner idea.
This cold salad pasta recipe is a twist on the traditional recipe.
It is so much fun to take a traditional recipe and make it to my liking.
Most of the cold pastas call for fusilli pasta and creamy sauces. So, I figured it was time to disrupt that model and try something different.
In this recipe, there is one of my favorite pasta shapes. The trottolle pasta are so easy to make, but, I mostly like them for their “spinning top” shape.
As far as shapes go, this is definitely the most creative pasta.
This cold pasta salad recipe has some of the flavorings of an Italian pasta salad and a few flavorings of Greek pasta salad. There is nothing quite like a delicious fusion pasta salad, right?
What is your favorite pasta shape?
Cold Pasta Salad Recipe
1) Preheat oven to 475 degree and start boiling water for cooking the Trottolle Pasta. I used 1 cup of dried pasta for this recipe
2) Take a large bowl and add 3 cloves of garlic. I cut them into thin strips
3) Add 1 cup of mushrooms. They are also cut into long, thin strips
4) Add 2 cups of cauliflower that are cut lengthwise into long strips.
5) Add 2 red chili pepper. It should be de-seeded and cut into long strips
6) Add 1 of a green bell pepper, cut into long strips
7) Add 1/4 tsp of whole peppercorns
8) Add 2 Tbsp of extra virgin olive oil
9) Add 1/2 Tbsp of dried Rosemary
10) Add 1/2 Tbsp of dried parsley
11) Add 1/4 tsp of sea salt
12) Mix all the ingredients together. Spread them out on a baking tray. Place the tray in the oven and bake for about 20 minutes or until the cauliflower turn brown
13) When the water is boiling, add 1 tsp of virgin oil to the pasta water and add the tortolle pasta
14) Remove the veggies from the oven when they are done and allow them to cool.
13) Cook the pasta for about 15 minutes or until they are al dente. Drain the pasta and them cool for about ten minutes
14) While the pasta is cooling, assemble the other ingredients, In the same mixing bowl from step 1, add the roasted veggies
15) Add the cool downed trottolle pasta to the veggies and mix well, but, be gentle
16) You can choose a light dressing, if you prefer. However, I recommend using 3 tsp of my Lemon Vinaigrette recipe. It only takes 5 minutes to make and it healthier than store bought dressings
17) Mix well together and cover with plastic wrap. Seal it well because it will remain overnight in the fridge
18) Remove the cold pasta salad from the fridge and serve
Cold Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup Trottolle pasta (uncooked)
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 cup mushrooms cut into long, thin strips
- 2 cups cauliflower cut into long, thin strips
- 2 red chili peppers
- 1 green bell pepper
- ¼ tsp whole peppercorns
- 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- ½ Tbsp dried Rosemary
- ½ Tbsp dried parsley
- ¼ tsp sea salt
To make the Tortolle Pasta
- 8 cups water
- 1 tsp virgin oil
For the Lemon Vinaigrette
- ¼ cup extra virgin oil
- ¼ cup lemon juice (freshly squeezed is better)
- 1 tsp honey Dijon mustard
- 2 cloves garlic finely chopped
- ⅙ tsp dried basil
- ¼ tsp salt (optional)
- ¼ tsp freshly ground pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 475 degree
- Cook the tortolle pasta
- Take a large bowl and add garlic, mushrooms, cauliflower and red chili pepper
- Add green bell pepper, peppercorns, extra virgin olive oil, rosemary, parsley and salt
- Mix all the ingredients together
- Spread them out on a baking tray and bake in the oven for about 20 minutes
- Remove the veggies from the oven when they are done and allow them to cool.
- In the same mixing bowl from step 3, add the roasted veggies
- Add the cool downed tortolle pasta to the veggies and mix well, but, gently
- Add the lemon vinaigrette
- Mix well together and cover with plastic wrap
- Seal it well and let it marinate overnight
That is such a cool shape of pasta!! What brand is it / where did you buy it?
Thank you, Sarah
Love all the savory spices in your pasta salad.
Thank you, Christie
Sounds delicious, Rini! I have a feeling my family would love this…they love roasted veggies!
Thank you, Michelle.
My dad and I were just talking about cold salads yesterday and I so need to get on this! My husband does not like cold food (weirdo) so I feel deprived of salads!
Thank you, Kacey
Oh goodness, I totally need to make this with some gf pasta. It’s been a long time since I’ve had pasta salad and this one looks amazing!
Thank you, Lauren
You never go wrong with pasta and adding mushrooms oh my goodness such a great combo. Wish we live closer to get on your taster list =)
Thank you, Adriana
Your pasta salad looks excellent! I could grab my fork and dive right in, it’s perfect with the roasted veggies and that yummy dressing and the fun pasta! Definitely on the list to make!!
Thank you, Debra. I will have a bowl waiting for you. Come on over!