Potluck Pasta Salad with Dijon Vinaigrette
Jul 22, 2016, Updated Sep 19, 2021
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This easy Potluck Pasta Salad with Dijon Vinaigrette is a quick pasta salad recipe that is packed with fresh veggies and tossed in a zesty homemade Dijon Vinaigrette! It’s a perfect side for BBQ’s and gatherings!
Looking for more pasta salad recipes to share with friends? Try my Italian Pasta Salad Recipe or this Apples and Celery Pasta Salad with Light Caesar Dressing.
This post is sponsored by STAR FINE FOODS, maker of awesome Olive Oils, Vinegars, olives, glazes, capers, anchovies, onions, and the list goes ON and ON! Thank YOU, friends, for supporting the brands that make Diethood possible!
This Is One Of My Favorite Easy Pasta Salad Recipes
Three of my favorite things today! Salads, Pasta, and FRIENDS!
Happy Fri-yaaaay! Or is it FrY-Yay?! If it is, then I have YET to post something “fried” on Fridays. ON the other hand, I almost never fry so… that might never happen. BUT hand me some veggies and a dressing shaker, and I might just make you the best tasting veg salad of ever!
However, we might just want to call THIS recipe the big ol’ throw-all-my-veggies-in-a-salad-bowl-and-call-it-a-salad. A Potluck Pasta Salad.
So here’s the deal.
I’ve always enjoyed the concept of having a big old of something food-related to bring to parties. I can’t accept going empty handed, no way, AND because I have a food blog, people will have a whole lotta not-so-nice things to say about this gal bringing a store-bought pie. Know whadda mean? Yeah you do.
I can’t even remember and/or would be slightly embarrassed to tell you some of the things I have grabbed out of desperation to bring to a party. The problem is that, because of this blog, I ALWAYS have SO MUCH prepared food! And when I need to get rid of it, I bring it to whoever calls me over. 😀 Also? I think it’s an excellent problem to have.
Problem deux? I am always tempted to drink up my salad dressings. I LIVE for that vinegary, acidic, zesty flavor. I really do.
Ugh, what a sight. Homemade Dijon Vinaigrette, right there, ready to go!
What Is Used To Make The Pasta Salad Dressing?
A rich, garlicky, and peppery olive taste is added to the dressing by the way of STAR’s Signature Series Olive Oils by Ferran Adria. This particular Olive Oil is a combination of Extra Virgin Olive Oils with an added roasted garlic taste, making it an ideal oil to use for all your homemade salad dressings and other favorite dishes.
Also, STAR’s White Wine Vinegar makes a special appearance here because it is the perfect replacement for creamy dressings, and it helps to balance all the flavors.
What Other Ingredients Are In This Pasta Salad?
Clearly, this potluck pasta salad is pretty basic, in a good way. It doesn’t have avocado or feta cheese, there’s no bacon or kale – I love all of those things! – but this is one of those salads that works well, and it works for everyone. An English cucumber, a handful of cauliflower florets, a pint of colored grape tomatoes, and a couple cups of fresh and so green broccoli florets is all it takes to take your boring white pasta to the very top level.
A sprinkle of cheese, maybe? Just a sprinkle of fresh parmesan is all you’ll need. And voila! Get ‘er done and get ‘er done for Sunday’s backyard BBQ partay!
Where To Buy STAR Olive Oil And Vinegar For This Recipe
For more information on STAR Fine Foods Products, please check them out on Facebook, Twitter,and Pinterest.
STAR Ferran Adrià Garlic Olive Oil is available exclusively at select Safeway, Vons and Albertsons (Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Idaho, Wyoming, Nebraska, Nevada, Utah & Colorado) stores.
STAR White Wine Vinegar can be purchased ONLINE and it’s also available at select Safeway, Kroger, Save Mart, Food 4 Less, Vons, Smart & Final, Roundy’s, Randalls, Sherm’s, Schnucks, King Soopers, Fred Myer, Ralphs and Smith’s stores.
ENJOY!
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Potluck Pasta Salad with Dijon Vinaigrette
Ingredients
FOR THE SALAD
- 10 ounces dry fusilli pasta
- 1 English Cucumber, , diced
- 1 pint grape tomatoes, , halved
- 2 to 3 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 2 to 3 cups fresh cauliflower florets
FOR THE DIJON VINAIGRETTE
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 3 tablespoons STAR White Wine Vinegar
- 1/2 cup STAR Ferran Adria Garlic Olive Oil
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- salt and fresh ground pepper, , to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to the directions on the package; rinse under cold water until cool and pat dry with paper towels.
- Transfer pasta to a salad bowl; add diced cucumbers, tomatoes, broccoli and cauliflower. Set aside.
- Prepare the salad dressing by combining all the ingredients in a mixing bowl; whisk until thoroughly combined.
- Taste for seasonings and adjust accordingly.
- Add salad dressing - as much as you think you will need - to the previously prepared salad.
- Toss to coat.
- Chill before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
Such a perfect salad to take to a summer party!
This pasta salad is the best part of summer, yum!
Everyone gravitates toward a pasta salad at a potluck. Yours looks amazing!
This is the prettiest pasta salad! Love the vinaigrette!
This looks so fresh and delicious — and the dressing is AMAZING! I’m gonna end up drinking that, too!
I would not complain one bit of you brought this pasta salad to a potluck that I was hosting! 😉 Looks delicious!
I’m all about pasta salads at potlucks and this one looks especially good! Love that you used dijon vinaigrette! Such great flavors!
This is my kind of pasta salad! I want a big bowl today!