Thanks for joining Sarah and me for Meatless Monday today. After a chilly and rainy May, it’s finally starting to feel like summer around here. Warmer days mean that I am craving more salads and easier meals that have me spending less time in the kitchen. I also want to make sure I am eating a nice balance of carbs and protein to fuel all of my summer adventures. Today’s Sicilian Summer Pasta Salad does just that. It’s super easy to prepare and enjoy as a meal or a side.
Sicilian Summer Pasta Salad
I may have been dreaming about summer in Italy when I came up with the idea for this salad. One summer I’d love to rent a villa and wander the farmer’s markets each day picking up fresh veggies and herbs to create delicious Italian food. I imagine myself finding big, juicy lemons, fresh pasta, radicchio, white beans and robust cheeses. Have I made you hungry yet? Those are the exact foods I combined to create this simple Sicilian Summer Pasta Salad.
I used Farfalle (bow tie) pasta today but any type of small pasta would work including any gluten free substitute. I had everything prepped and ready to go in a matter of minutes while the pasta cooked. I used radicchio for a splash of color and a change of pace but kale could easily be subbed as well. Looking for a vegan dish? Simply omit the Parmesan cheese.
This salad is so full of flavor and color and I wanted to keep the simple aspect with the dressing as well. I literally just used the juice of one whole lemon, a good quality extra virgin olive oil and a white balsamic vinegar. Add in a little salt, pepper, oregano and basil and voila you’ve got yourself one fabulous tasting Sicilian Summer Pasta Salad.
You know I am all about leftovers and this salad makes a great take to work or school meal the next day. This is of course, Meatless Monday, but you could easily add in any other protein if your diet allows. I won’t tell anyone if you won’t.
What summer salads are you enjoying? Do you ever dream about strolling through Italy and cooking local foods?
Sicilian Summer Pasta Salad Meatless Monday
A light and healthy Italian style pasta salad filled with all the Mediterranean flavors you love. Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 box of Farfalle or your favorite pasta cooked according to package & cooled
- 1 head of Radicchio lettuce chopped
- 8 oz of Arugula
- 1 15 oz can of white beans-rinsed & drained
- 1 pint of cherry or grape tomatoes
- 1 6 0z jar of artichoke hearts-halved
- 6 0z of Parmesan, Pecorino or similar Italian cheese cut into chunks (delete for vegan option)
- juice of 1-2 lemons
- 1/2 C high quality EVOO
- 1/2 C white Balsamic
- salt, pepper, oregano & basil to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package, drain & allow to cool
- Prepare veggies while pasta is cooking
- In a large bowl combine all ingredients
- Squeeze juice of 1-2 lemons and drizzle on top
- Add olive oil & balsamic & spices
- Mix to combine
- Serve at room temp or chilled
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I can’t resist a good pasta salad. This looks super delicious! 🙂
me either! Thanks
This looks great! I always forget about pasta salad until summer rolls around and I don’t feel like cooking a warm meal. I love how simple this is to make!
Very simple and yes perfect for summer
Ah, this sounds perfect for dining al fresco with a glass of proseco!
I agree!
I love pasta salad in the summer. This looks great!
Thanks so much simple and delicious
This looks amazing! I haven’t been enjoying any summer salads since it’s been raining here a lot lately 🙁
One day I would love to eat my way through Italy!
You and me both!
This looks like such a yummy variation on pasta salad. I make one too, but I use lots of fresh basil. Arugula would be a nice change of pace! YUM!
you could use both!
I love pasta salad. I may make this tonight!
OH great hope you enjoy it’s super easy
This looks delicious, I love the idea of radicchio in a pasta salad. Yum!
Thanks I thought it really added a nice flavor change
This looks good! I love artichoke hearts, I always forget about them until I see them used in a recipe!
Love the artichoke hearts and the arugula in there, looks so good!
Thanks so much
Sign me up for that Italian Villa! In fact an Italian friend in Rome just invited me for coffee. Guess I need to go. ; ) That looks absolutely perfect for summer!
I think we both need to go!
I’m always looking for new summer salads! On hot days, I love to have a salad with watermelon and grapes added in as they add a nice punch!
oh I like that too! Great idea
Looks lovely. One of the supermarkets I shop at has recently started selling a vegan parmesan which I’ve yet to try. Perhaps this is my excuse for buying some!
I’ve been making big salads for my lunches the last few weeks, it’s so much easier having everything prepared in advance. My current favourite is French lentils with beetroot.
I love lentils that sounds fabulous too.
This looks so very good! I love all the colors and the simple dressing.
Thanks I did not want to over power with a dressing I like the simpleness as well
This salad needs to be at my next weekend BBQ! Sounds delish!
fabulous hope you enjoy it!
I am such a huge fan of pasta salad, especially during the summer. I’ll definitely be making this!
Me too and great thanks
This salad has all my fav things: flavourful cheeses, lean protein and delicious veg. The perfect meatless monday meal!
thanks so much Abbey!
Yummmmm!!!!
I made a different type of pasta too this weekend – with chickpeas and kale with sundried tomato. Loved it. And I find that I like cold pasta much better than the hot ones.
I love them both! 🙂
I love everything in here… perfect for summer!
Thanks so much!
YUM! This looks so good… lovely presentation!
Thanks so much Elle
What a beautiful salad to bring to a summer cookout or BBQ!
Thanks so much I think I will be making it a lot this summer
This pasta salad looks delicious! I love the addition of artichokes, greens, and fresh herbs! Happy Meatless Monday!
Thanks! I forget about using artichokes but they are really great in salads aren’t they?!
Mention the word “Italian” in your description of any recipe, and you will have my 100% attention! Thanks for another recipe to add to my “To Do ” list 😉
I think this is the one for you to try! 🙂
Oh my gosh, renting a villa in Italy for a summer would be a dream come true! But until then, this pasta salad looks like the next best thing for American summers!
It’s on my wish list for sure!
I’m bias towards bow tie pastas. I feel like just having them there makes the dish 10x better 😉
I like them too! They just seem happy
This looks delicious! Thanks for sharing your recipe! I’m saving this for later use! 🙂
Great I really hope you enjoy it!
I love the looks of this salad! So many colors AND a reason to go buy radicchio!
I forget about radicchio but it’s yummy isn’t it?
We need to start back at meatless Mondays. You’ve inspired me =)
Great! Can’t wait to see what you come up with as well
This looks so refreshing and delicious! Great use of summer produce 🙂
Thanks so much!
Hi Deborah,
I was so pleased to find your Meatless Monday Link Party. Today I shared
5 Fresh Ways to Cook Peas and Asparagus This Spring and Vegan German Potato Salad. Thanks for hosting this delectable party!
So great to have you join us! Hope to see you here often
I tried to go back and comment on your recipes and could not figure out how so I shared them to twitter instead
Wow this looks delish! I love everything that goes in it! I love bow tie pasta… well anything with pasta lol!
I am a huge pasta lover myself!
This sounds delicious! I love pasta salads with tons of veggies in the Summer. It’s feeling but doesn’t feel as heavy as hot meals.
Yes exactly does not feel like it’s as much when it’s cold
That looks YUM! I’m gonna make it this weekend for my niece/nephew’s birthday party!!
Well that’s fabulous hope you all enjoy it
We make something very similar, but there are so many variations on pasta salads for summer. So fun!
Yes definitely so easy to throw any veggies in there
As mentioned on IG, I love bow-tie pasta the absolute BEST. Brings back so many memories – and honestly KINDA makes me miss pasta!
Perhaps you find a substitute to use for it that works for you
I love pasta salad! This looks delicious!
Me too and thanks!
This pasta salad looks so delicious! I am definitely going to make it!
It is definitely one of my summer favorites
This looks like the perfect summer salad, and so refreshing. Yum!
Thanks hope you try it out!
yum!! I am so excited for summer cooking. I’ll have to look thru the other linked recipes too!
Summer cooking is great with all the fresh veggies everywhere