This recipe is a summer smash! Bursting with fresh veggies and smothered in a luscious homemade roasted red pepper dressing that’s equal parts smoky, sweet, and creamy. It’s the perfect addition to literally any backyard grill out.

A bowl of pasta salad with fusilli, cherry tomatoes, peas, feta cheese, and red onion. Two gold utensils rest on the side. Small bowls of red onions and cherry tomatoes are nearby.

I love finding new ways to get creative with pasta salad. It’s basically my summer love language. Whether I’m whipping up my zesty Dilly Tuna Pasta Salad for beach days or my smoky Street Corn Pasta Salad for backyard BBQs, each version feels like a delicious little rebellion against sad, soggy side dishes. This roasted red pepper beauty? Consider it my latest edible summer fling.

No boring salads here! Just toss, drizzle, and devour for the ultimate no-fuss dish that’s as vibrant as a sunny picnic. You’re going to fall in loOove.

I beg of you, ! At the very end of this recipe, you’ll sauté the minced garlic in olive oil for a few minutes and then pour it over the pasta salad and toss. It adds such rich, deep garlicky flavor that cannot be replicated another way.

Sautéing the garlic is super easy, but it can easily burn, so keep an eye on it, and remove from the heat immediately once it’s golden.

Find the list of full ingredients in the recipe card below.

Ingredients including pepper, feta cheese, cottage cheese, lemon zest, and red peppers in a food processor, ready to be blended.
Food processor with creamy orange hummus on a gray textured surface.

Mix up the veggies however you like! Zucchini, bell peppers, eggplant, or even roasted carrots would be awesome options. You can also add some leafy greens, such as spinach or arugula, for a little extra flavor and a nutrient boost.

A bowl with rotini pasta, cherry tomatoes, peas, chopped red onion, green beans, fresh herbs, and a creamy sauce. A small bowl of onions and cutlery are beside it.

If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to . Toss with additional fresh herbs to freshen things up before serving 🥰.

A bowl of rotini pasta salad with peas, asparagus, cherry tomatoes, and a creamy dressing.

This vibrant pasta salad is the ultimate summer sidekick, ready to jazz up everything from backyard BBQs to easy weeknight dinners. Pair it with Grilled California Chickenfor a similar flavor profile, or step up your burger game with tasty options like the hearty Mushroom Swiss Burger or Quinoa Sweet Potato Burgers. The creamy salad is the perfect match for those savory, earthy flavors!

If you’re firing up the grill, Juicy Grilled Pork Chops love the salad’s zesty kick, while No-Fail Baby Back Ribs (made in the oven or on the grill) turn the combo into a finger-licking summer spread.

  • Feel free to mix up the vegetables that you use.

Calories: 304 kcal, Carbohydrates: 41 g, Protein: 15 g, Fat: 10 g, Fiber: 5 g, Sugar: 7 g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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photos taken in this post are by Erin from The Wooden Skillet.

Emily is Fit Foodie Finds' editor-in-chief. She has a master's degree in strategic communication and a passion for food. She is an incredible at-home cook, making her writing an important part of the content creation process.