Summer Pasta Salad

A Bowl of Sunshine: My Favorite Summer Pasta Salad 🌼🍝

There’s something about summer that makes everything taste better - especially when it’s served in a big, colorful bowl and tossed with love. This summer pasta salad has quickly become my go-to for light lunches, or even lazy dinners in the garden with a cold drink in hand.

It’s vibrant, fresh, salty-sweet, and packed with flavor. Think juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, smoky Black Forest ham, briny olives, and a tangy-sweet mustard-honey dressing that ties it all together. Oh, and did I mention a touch of sheep’s cheese? Yes, it’s as dreamy as it sounds.

✨ Why I Love This Salad

It’s quick, it’s no-fuss, and it’s one of those “throw it all in and it works” kind of meals. The magic is in the balance: salty meats, creamy cheeses, punchy dressing, and crunchy veggies all living harmoniously in one bowl.

It’s hearty enough to be a full meal, but light enough to keep you energized in the summer heat.

📝 Ingredients

• Cooked penne pasta (al dente, always!)

• Cherry tomatoes, halved

• Mozzarella, either minis or torn into bite-sized pieces

• Green olives stuffed with red pepper

• Slices of Black Forest ham, torn or chopped

• A few spoonfuls of sheep’s cheese or crumbled feta

  
  

🥣 The Dressing

This sweet and tangy dressing brings everything together with a bold yet creamy finish. You’ll need:

• Sweet mustard

• Mayonnaise

• Olive oil

• Balsamic vinegar

• Honey

• Chives, dried or finely chopped

• Black pepper and a pinch of garlic powder

Just whisk everything together in a small bowl or shake it up in a jar, you want it creamy but pourable. Taste and adjust - a little more mustard if you want zing, a touch more honey if you’re feeling sweet.

🍴 How to Assemble

1. Cook your pasta, drain, and let it cool slightly.

2. Toss the pasta with chopped cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, olives, and ham.

3. Add in dollops of herbed sheep’s cheese or crumble it over the top.

4. Pour the dressing over everything and mix gently until well combined.

5. Finish with extra chives, cracked pepper, or a drizzle of olive oil.

   
   
   

   

   
   
   

🧺 Perfect For

• Summer BBQs and garden parties

• Light lunches with crusty bread on the side

• Picnic baskets

• "I don't feel like cooking" weeknights

If you’re looking for a fresh take on pasta salad that feels both satisfying and special, this one’s a must-try. I call it my bowl of sunshine - every bite brings a little brightness.

Let me know if you make it and don’t forget to share it with someone who needs a taste of summer ☀️

With love,

Tina 💛