It’s time we combine some Summer flavor with some warmer weather comfort food. This shrimp scampi pasta salad is the best of both worlds. It makes for a bright, flavorful infusion with a creamy dressing into a hearty pasta salad base.
pasta salad
Cold Tortellini Salad with Ranch Dressing
Too hot for pasta? Think again with this creamy cold tortellini salad with ranch dressing. Loaded with big bites of cheddar cheese, pieces of crumbled bacon, and cheese tortellini, this pasta salad recipe is anything but ordinary. A handful of ingredients and a quick 20 minutes and this cold tortellini salad is ready to go.
Three Bean Pasta Salad
Bean salad is easy to throw together, & this Three Bean Pasta Salad version is no different. A heaping helping of three different beans, a couple veggies included for good measure, and it’s all tossed in a simple homemade vinaigrette. Served as is, or chilled, this pasta salad was destined to please Southern palates.
Deviled Egg Pasta Salad
Everyone’s favorite hard boiled egg appetizer meets creamy pasta salad in this fun combo of Deviled Egg Pasta Salad. It’s the best dish, bound for your next barbecue- and it’s epic.
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Who knew you could combine your favorite side salad with a a bit of pasta, and make a bit of kitchen magic like this Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad. It’s quick, easy, and so darn tasty. It’s a perfect family supper side dish, or an equally yummy lighter meal option.
Crunchy Doritos Taco Pasta Salad
Pasta salad is one of the most easily adaptable side dishes out there, both the ingredients and to any occasion. Step up your pasta salad game with this creamy Crunchy Doritos Taco Pasta Salad. Featuring seasoned ground beef, crushed Doritos, and fresh veggies tossed in a creamy dressing- it’s a real family & potluck pleaser.
Chicken Bacon Caesar Pasta
It’s quick and easy, it’s creamy pasta Heaven. Studded with crispy crackles of bacon, chunks of tender juicy chicken, and bound together with a thick Caesar dressing- it’s a full meal that masquerades as a hot pasta salad.
Aunt Gert’s Sweet Macaroni Salad
Rich and creamy, with a surprisingly sweet and yummy sauce– Aunt Gert’s Sweet Macaroni Salad is the recipe you want to have on hand for Spring picnics and Summer barbecues.
Pepperoni & Basil Tortellini Salad
If you grew up in the South pasta salad was and still is a staple, but it typically just involves plain pasta and some sort o mayonnaise base. Shake things up with this fun new twist- Pepperoni & Basil Tortellini Salad, in a creamy Caesar dressing with sliced sweet grape tomatoes too.
Sesame Ginger Pasta Salad
Mayonnaise laden pasta salads are a classic, but they seem to be less in vogue these days. Healthier is in & healthier side dishes are trending. This sesame ginger pasta salad is a lightened up version of the traditional Summer side dish, but with every ounce of flavor we could have possibly packed in & plenty of Asian flair.
It’s that time again, the Fourth of July weekend. Time for celebrating the many freedoms and privileges we’ve been afforded.
Time for good food, tasty barbecues, fun times with friends and family, and plenty of fellowship whether it be around the picnic table or by the side of the pool.
One of the staples at all of our Independence Day celebrations is pasta salad. And not necessarily the same pasta salad every year either.
I recently decided to lighten things up, you know from our typically ‘heartier’ pasta sides, for the warmer weather of Spring & Summer.
This new spin on a timeless classic is packed with fresh, crisp veggies, tossed with a ginger dressing laced with Asian flavor.
If that wasn’t tasty enough, the whole thing’s then topped with a generous sprinkle of fresh, thinly sliced green onions and lightly toasted sesame seeds.
So if you’re looking for something a little bit bold, a little bit different, but totally fresh, consider bringing this sesame ginger pasta salad to the potluck table this weekend.
It pairs perfectly with just about anything a cookout can throw at you.
Want a heartier side dish, or looking to make this healthier pasta salad into a whole meal? That’s simple enough. Add some chopped rotisserie chicken to the bowl, and toss to combine. Alternatively, flaked cooked salmon is another delicious protein option to add in.
Not a fan of toasted sesame seeds? Crispy chow mein noodles or even slivered almonds both add the perfect crunchy topping to servings of this Asian style pasta salad.
If you’ve tried this SESAME GINGER PASTA SALAD, or any other recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers! You can also follow along with me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK, and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes and whatever else we’ve got going on!
Sesame Ginger Pasta Salad
This tangy Asian flavored pasta salad is chock full of tender veggies and a delicious twist on the traditional cold side salad. It can be served as a side dish to dinner, or as a light lunch.
Prep Time20 mins
Total Time20 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 350kcal
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 4 inch ginger root peeled
- 3 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp vinegar
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp soy sauce
- 16 oz farfalle pasta cooked according to the package directions, drained
- 8 oz snow peas blanched
- 1 sweet red pepper seeded & diced
- 1/2 cup diced celery
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions
Instructions
- In a small skillet, over medium heat, toast the sesame seeds, about two minutes or until they’ve turned a light brown. Set them aside.
- Use a fine grater to grate the ginger into a fine sieve placed over a small bowl. Press out the liquid with the back of a spoon to get the juices out. Should yield about 1 1/2 tbsp worth of liquid.
- To the ginger juice, add the mustard, vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, and soy sauce. Whisk all the ingredients together until the dressing is smooth.
- In a large mixing bowl combine the cooked pasta, snow peas, diced pepper, chopped celery, and the dressing.
- Toss until everything is coated, and then put it in the refrigerator to chill. Serve cold, making sure to toss everything again right before hand.
Notes
Add chopped rotisserie chicken to this recipe to make it a meal, or just to make it a heartier pasta salad. This dish can also be served at room temperature, depending on personal preference.
Nutrition
Calories: 350kcal | Carbohydrates: 64g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 129mg | Potassium: 367mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1153IU | Vitamin C: 50mg | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 2mg
