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5 from 6 votes

Veggie Pasta Salad

Pasta salad packed with fresh veggies is a great vegetarian delight. This healthy, quick and simple side dish will surely brighten up your day !!
Prep: 25 minutes
Cook: 45 minutes
Total: 1 hour 10 minutes
Course: Sides
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 6 PEOPLE
Author: Ruchi

Ingredients

  • 1LB OR 16 OZ Fusilli OR Rotini Pasta Or any other pasta
  • 1 small Red Capsicum
  • 1 small Orange OR Green Capsicum
  • 1 big Large onion
  • 6-7 florets Broccoli
  • 1 cup Diced eggplant (optional)
  • 1/4 cup Sundried tomatoes (optional)
  • 1 cup Store bought Artichoke hearts (optional)
  • 1 cup Pinenuts OR Walnuts
  • 1/2 cup Sliced Green and black Olives
  • 1/4 + 1/4 cup Olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon Garlic Salt or freshly crushed garlic
  • 1/2 tablespoon Freshly ground Black peppercorns
  • 1/2 tablespoon Crushed red chili flakes
  • Salt to taste
  • 4-5 leaves of Fresh Basil, chopped

Instructions

  • Assemble: all the ingredients.
  • Wash, clean and dice veggies. Preheat oven to 500 degree F (260 degree C).
  • Transfer them to a bowl and add 1/4 cup of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of garlic salt or crushed garlic.
  • Using a spoon gently toss the veggies.
  • Veggies should be coated in olive oil.
  • Grease a baking tray and spread the veggies in a single layer.
  • Place them in the hot oven and broil them for 25-30 minutes or until crisp. Depending on the oven heat they may become crisp faster.
  • Keep a close eye on the pinenuts; they will be done in few seconds. Or choose to toss them over the stove in a pan.
  • In the meanwhile boil pasta according to the package instructions.
  • Do not overcook the pasta.
  • Drain the boiled pasta and rinse under cold water to remove starch. Set it aside.
  • When the veggies are crisp and brown around the edges, take them out of the oven and start assembling the recipe.
  • Transfer boiled pasta to a bowl.
  • Add the remaining 1/4 cup of olive oil, toasted pinenuts...
  • Sliced olives....
  • Crushed black peppercorns....
  • Add grilled veggies, red chili flakes and give it a good toss. REMEMBER - before adding salt taste the pasta because salt was already added to the veggies, so add in moderation. Finally stir in artichokes, fresh basil leaves and fold the salad gently.
  • Some of the artichoke outer leaves will break off during mixing- it's just fine. Give the salad bowl a good toss.
  • Enjoy it hot or cold.