A simple cold pasta salad recipe that is perfect weeknight meal idea. Works as the main course meal or as a side dish Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

This is a simple cold pasta salad with trotolle pasta that comes together in 45 minutes. Topped with an easy lemon vinaigrette. Perfect vegan dinner idea.

This cold salad pasta recipe is a twist on the traditional recipe.

It is so much fun to take a traditional recipe and make it to my liking.

Most of the cold pastas call for fusilli pasta and creamy sauces. So, I figured it was time to disrupt that model and try something different.

In this recipe, there is one of my favorite pasta shapes. The trottolle pasta are so easy to make, but, I mostly like them for their “spinning top” shape.

As far as shapes go, this is definitely the most creative pasta.

This cold pasta salad recipe has some of the flavorings of an Italian pasta salad and a few flavorings of Greek pasta salad. There is nothing quite like a delicious fusion pasta salad, right?

Different Pasta Shapes

1) Casarecce Pasta

This casarecce recipe is a very light pasta and takes no time to cook. Doesn’t it look so delicious?

2) Orechiette Pasta

Orechiette pasta is the perfect comfort food. Check out how good it looks with pearl onions and cherry tomatoes

3) Gnocchi Pasta with Asparagus

I love gnocchi so much and I can’t help adding it here. This gnocchi pasta is my all time favorite pasta recipe

What is your favorite pasta shape?

Cold Pasta Salad Recipe

1) Preheat oven to 475 degree and start boiling water for cooking the Trottolle Pasta. I used 1 cup of dried pasta for this recipe

2) Take a large bowl and add 3 cloves of garlic. I cut them into thin strips

3) Add 1 cup of mushrooms. They are also cut into long, thin strips

4) Add 2 cups of cauliflower that are cut lengthwise into long strips.

5) Add 2 red chili pepper. It should be de-seeded and cut into long strips

6) Add 1 of a green bell pepper, cut into long strips

7) Add 1/4 tsp of whole peppercorns

8) Add 2 Tbsp of extra virgin olive oil

9) Add 1/2 Tbsp of dried Rosemary

10) Add 1/2 Tbsp of dried parsley

11) Add 1/4 tsp of sea salt

12) Mix all the ingredients together. Spread them out on a baking tray. Place the tray in the oven and bake for about 20 minutes or until the cauliflower turn brown

13) When the water is boiling, add 1 tsp of virgin oil to the pasta water and add the tortolle pasta

14) Remove the veggies from the oven when they are done and allow them to cool.

13) Cook the pasta for about 15 minutes or until they are al dente. Drain the pasta and them cool for about ten minutes

14) While the pasta is cooling, assemble the other ingredients, In the same mixing bowl from step 1, add the roasted veggies

15) Add the cool downed trottolle pasta to the veggies and mix well, but, be gentle

16) You can choose a light dressing, if you prefer. However, I recommend using 3 tsp of my Lemon Vinaigrette recipe. It only takes 5 minutes to make and it healthier than store bought dressings

17) Mix well together and cover with plastic wrap. Seal it well because it will remain overnight in the fridge

18) Remove the cold pasta salad from the fridge and serve





How to make cold pasta salad