How to Make Pasta Primavera Salad - A Step-by-Step Guide

Pasta primavera is a classic Italian dish that features pasta and a variety of fresh, seasonal vegetables. This pasta primavera salad takes the traditional dish to a new level by incorporating a light and tangy vinaigrette dressing, making it perfect for serving at a summer picnic or as a refreshing side dish at a barbecue.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility. You can use any kind of pasta you like, from traditional spaghetti to penne or even bowtie pasta. The key is to ...

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Ingredients

  • 1 pound tri-color rotini pasta
  • ½ pound fresh asparagus, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons dry ranch dressing mix (such as Penzeys)
  • 1 tablespoon dry chip and dip seasoning mix (such as Penzeys)
  • 1 teaspoon dry Italian-style salad dressing mix (such as Penzeys)
  • 2 cups cubed fully cooked ham
  • 1 small head romaine, torn into bite-size pieces
  • 1 large cucumber, cut into 1/4-inch chunks
  • 1 avocado, cut into bite-size pieces (Optional)

Information

  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 15 mins
  • Additional Time: 30 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hr
  • Servings: 6
  • Yield: 6 servings

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook rotini at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes.
  • While pasta cooks, place a steamer insert into a saucepan and fill with water to just below the bottom of the steamer. Bring water to a boil. Add asparagus, cover, and steam until tender-crisp, 2 to 6 minutes. Drain pasta and asparagus and chill until ready to use, at least 10 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, ranch dressing mix, dip mix, and Italian dressing mix in a bowl.
  • Assemble chilled rotini, asparagus, ham, romaine, cucumber, and avocado in a large bowl. Top with mayonnaise dressing mixture and toss. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.
  • Nutrition

    629 cal.

    • Total Fat: 31g
    • Saturated Fat: 7g
    • Cholesterol: 36mg
    • Sodium: 971mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 67g
    • Dietary Fiber: 7g
    • Total Sugars: 5g
    • Protein: 21g
    • Vitamin C: 35mg
    • Calcium: 69mg
    • Iron: 5mg
    • Potassium: 773mg