Panzanella Pasta Salad is light and healthy. Easy to make, a filling lunch, and perfect for parties. Homemade croutons, colorful pasta, and veggies are mixed for a Panzanella salad feast.
Pasta Salad season is upon us and a vegetable-packed salad is a must-have. I am always looking for ways to improve my recipes and you can't go wrong with veggies and pasta.
It was a fun shopping spree to find the right pasta to make this Panzanella Pasta Salad.
There are a variety of choices in the grocery aisle. They are so colorful and now they even come in different shapes. I saw penne, rotini, and rozelle.
I mean, really? Veggies in the pasta. Heaven.
Everybody in my family loves pasta salads so any time there is a party brewing I make sure I get a huge bowl made and in the fridge. People are so grateful it makes me smile.
Next time I am doubling the recipe because leftovers are fantastic! I could eat it every day.
I have been going Mediterranean lately too. Maybe it's the heat because a cool vegetable dish sounds so much lighter and healthier.
For this salad, the lightly crunchy chunks of bread top it all off as something special.
Yep, I made a bread salad, which is also called Panzanella, and then added pasta. The best of both worlds.
Check out the ingredients and preparation for this one below - right here and right now.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
- Use and Italian or French baguette to get nice fat croutons.
- Extra virgin olive oil adds flavor.
- Colorful pasta in tomato, spinach and more.
- Cherry tomatoes add texture along with lots of tasty juices.
- Red bell pepper is mildly sweet and adds a great flavor to your salad.
- White onion is the best base for so many recipes. They have a nice sweet taste great.
For the vinaigrette
- Olive oil adds flavor.
- White tarragon vinegar is acidic and helps the flavors become infused into the pasta salad.
- Dijon mustard adds a tangy flavor. There are vegan versions so check the label.
- Salt is the perfect understated seasoning.
- Ground black pepper adds a bit of contrasting spice.
Instructions
Make the croutons
First, you want to make homemade croutons. If you have an excellent prepackaged salad crouton that you like then, by all means, use it if you'd like. I have only found one variety. Now I can't find it anymore.
Essentially, you cut a solid long loaf of french bread into about 1" slices. You can use Italian bread but you are aiming for a baguette. Then you cut those slices into squares so you have at least 1" square cubes.
Preheat the oven to 275°. While this is preheating sprinkle the bread cubes on a baking sheet and drizzle with Extra virgin olive oil.
Toss the cubes to cover on all sides and then bake for about 20-25 minutes. They will be golden brown as in the picture. Remove from the oven and set aside to let cool. They can cool on the pan.
While the croutons are baking you can cook the pasta and prep all of the vegetables. You may even have time to make the vinaigrette.
Make the vinaigrette
For the vinaigrette and tossing the salad
In a small bowl mix the five ingredients together for the dressing.
In a large bowl, place the pasta, tomatoes, red bell pepper, onion, and toasted bread cubes. Pour over the vinaigrette and add the salt and pepper. Toss well.
Because of the added pasta it's a delicious feast that you can easily have for lunch or a casual dinner too.
📋 Recipe
Panzanella Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 1 Italian bread - small, unsliced, loaf of French or Italian - cut into 1" cubes
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 10 ounce Pasta in multiple colors that have used multiple vegetables for the coloring.
- cherry tomatoes - or grape tomatoes, cut into fourths, wedges, I used grape tomatoes
- 1 red bell pepper - cut into strips
- ½ cup white onion - cut into long strips
For the vinaigrette
- ½ cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons white tarragon vinegar
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 275 F.
- Sprinkle the bread cubes on a baking sheet. Drizzle lightly with olive oil. Toss.
- Place the pan in the oven for 20-25 minutes until lightly browned.
- Remove the pan from the oven and let the bread cubes cool.
- While the bread cubes are toasting cook the pasta according to package directions.
- Drain and set aside to cool.
For the vinaigrette
- Mix all the ingredients together.
- In a large bowl, place the pasta, tomatoes, red bell pepper, onion and toasted bread cubes.
- Pour over the vinaigrette and add the salt and pepper. Toss well.
- Let sit for about a half an hour before serving.
Video
Notes
Taste again to see if you would like to add more salt.
Toss again and serve.
Paula - bell'alimento
I'm so loving this combination of two classics!
Stephanie @ Back for Seconds
This sounds delicious! I love pasta salads in the summer!
Martha @ A Family Feast
I love panzanella - and for whatever reason - never thought to add pasta too! Definitely trying this recipe soon - it looks delicious!
Carolyn
That's the perfect summer party salad!
Erin @ Texanerin Baking
I love a pasta dish that's good when reheated! A few of my favorites are terrible reheated. And I can see why you'd double this! Looks great. 🙂
Angie | Big Bear's Wife
I have been making pasta salads like crazy lately! Totally scouting out new ideas and I'm so happy I saw this!
Cookin Canuck
What a fun idea to combine two of the best summertime salads - pasta and panzanella!
Kellie @ The Suburban Soapbox
What a great idea, Ginny!!! Panzanella and pasta in one salad is genius. 🙂
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes
This is the best idea ever for a pasta salad! Love it and love the colors! Pinned 🙂
Nicole @ Or Whatever You Do
Beautiful pasta salad!
Jaren (Diary of a Recipe Collector)
This looks like the perfect pasta salad!!
Isabelle @ Crumb
Love the carb-on-carb action in this salad. 🙂 Seriously, it's like two of my favourite summer salads had a baby together. Genius idea.
I bet this one would be great for taking to work, too... fresh and flavourful and full of bright colours, and substantial enough to keep you going through the 2pm slump.
Nikki @ Nik Snacks
I've never had panzanella pasta salad! This is definitely creative. I might need to give this a spin! Pasta salad can be so boring. This is NOT!
Jordan @ Smile Sandwich
This looks great! Perfect for the long weekend. 🙂
Laura @ Petite Allergy Treats
What a beautiful pasta salad! All the colors are perfect for Summer and entertaining. Pinned!
Ginny McMeans
That is great Paula! Thanks for commenting 🙂
Ginny McMeans
Thank you Stephanie and I do too!
Ginny McMeans
You are such a good cook Martha and that really means a lot to me. Hope you get to make it soon.
Ginny McMeans
Yes Carolyn - Bring on the party!
Ginny McMeans
Thanks Erin! It is good cold and warm!
Ginny McMeans
I'm glad you found it too Angie! You'll love it. 🙂
Ginny McMeans
Thanks! It made a great lunch too. 🙂
Ginny McMeans
You make me blush Kellie. Thanks so much!
Ginny McMeans
Thank you Nicole 🙂
Ginny McMeans
That veggie pasta really does make it pretty beside tasty. Thanks Ashley!
Ginny McMeans
Ah, thanks Jaren!
Ginny McMeans
You are so right on all counts Isabelle! It is a great pack and go meal. Thanks!
Ginny McMeans
Thanks so much Nikki. It is really fun to make too!
Ginny McMeans
Thanks Jordan - perfect for weekends! Really fun at get-togethers too. 🙂
Ginny McMeans
Pretty pasta, huh! Thanks so much Laura - for the pinning too!
Megan Keno {Country Cleaver}
I want this salad with every meal!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet
This looks wonderful, so colorful! The perfect picnic salad!
Christina @ Christina's Cucina
I love traditional Panzanella! I never would have thought to make it a pasta salad.
Steph @ Steph in Thyme
A picnic perfect pasta salad!
Cynthia/What A Girl Eats
This sounds like the perfect summertime salad!
Marjory @ Dinner-Mom
Love a good pasta salad you can pack with a bounty of summer veggies. This one is definitely a winner!
Brandon @ Kitchen Konfidence
Bread AND pasta?! YUM!!
Matt @ Plating Pixels
Interesting idea with the toasted bread cubes. I bet it adds a nice texture
Anita
Such a pretty salad! I love the addition of the bread - makes it a meal!
Jane
And just like that I'm craving panzanella! Love the addition of pasta too - makes a much more filling meal 🙂
Jane x
Brian Jones
Love the sound of the the pastsa is a great addition.
Lucy @ Supergoldenbakes
The addition of toasted bread cubes is genius - one more level of texture.
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
I really enjoy panzanella salad (and pasta salad) so this is delicious to me! Love the idea of using not-at-its-peak bread and repurposing for something yummy 🙂
Jagruti
This pasta salad looks gorgeous, perfect for warm weather, it's filling!