The Perfect Picnic Pasta Salad

Chef John's picnic pasta salad is bursting with vegetables, fresh herbs, and rotini pasta tossed in a tasty vinaigrette for the perfect summertime meal.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 10 mins
• Total Time: 25 mins
• Calories: 492 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons white sugar
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
• 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 2 tablespoons sliced green onions
• 1 cup thinly sliced carrots
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh tarragon
• 1 cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh chives
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh dill
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
• 1 cup sliced cherry tomatoes
• 1 cup sliced snow peas
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh Italian parsley
• 1 pound rotini (corkscrew) pasta
• 0.25 cup cider vinegar
• 0.25 cup rice vinegar
• 0.25 cup finely diced red onion
• 0.5 cup shelled English peas
• 0.5 cup diced bell peppers

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Whisk Dijon mustard, cider vinegar, rice vinegar, salt, sugar, and cayenne together in a large bowl for about 30 seconds. Whisk in olive oil in 1-teaspoon increments until emulsified. Whisk in tarragon, dill, parsley, chives, and thyme. Remove and reserve 1/2 of the dressing in a separate small bowl.

Step 2

Transfer hot pasta mixture to the vinaigrette in the large mixing bowl and toss well to combine. Let rest for 5 minutes and toss again. Toss occasionally until the mixture is almost room temperature, 15 to 20 minutes.

Step 3

Add bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, red onion, green onions, salt, and the reserved dressing and toss well.

Step 4

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook pasta at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Add snow peas, carrots, peas, and broccoli about 2 minutes before the pasta is done. Drain pasta and veggies well, but do not rinse.

Step 5

You can serve this right away, but for best results, cover with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for 4 to 6 hours. Toss and adjust seasoning before serving.