Firecracker Pasta Salad Recipe

This vibrant Firecracker Pasta Salad bursts with fresh flavors! A zesty blend of pasta, crisp vegetables, and creamy cheeses tossed in a bright, tangy dressing. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a potluck contribution. This recipe is easily customizable to your favorite vegetables. Get ready for a flavor explosion!

Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Calories 341.4 kcal
Protein 26g
Rating 5.0 (2 Reviews)
Firecracker Pasta Salad 27

Recipe Actions

Share this recipe:

Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Firecracker Pasta Salad

Cook Smarter with Sous, Your Kitchen Companion

Missing an ingredient for this Firecracker Pasta Salad? Need a perfect wine pairing or a healthy side dish idea? Don't guess—ask Sous! Your AI-powered sous-chef is ready to help you swap ingredients, adjust serving sizes, and discover flavor tips in seconds.

How to Make Firecracker Pasta Salad

  1. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat.
  2. Add 2 cloves of minced garlic.
  3. Cook for 1 minute, or until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
  4. Pour the garlic oil into a large bowl and set aside to cool slightly.
  5. In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
  6. Add the cooled garlic oil to the vinegar mixture and whisk to combine.
  7. Add 8 ounces of cooked pasta (any shape you prefer), 1 cup of cherry or grape tomatoes (halved), 1 cup of broccoli florets (blanched), 1/2 cup of chopped bell pepper (any color), 1/2 cup of Kalamata olives (halved or sliced), 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, and 1/4 cup of grated Romano cheese to the large bowl.
  8. Gently toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated with the dressing.
  9. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld before serving. Can be served immediately if desired.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

24 g

Sugar

8g

Fat

26g

Carbs

11g