Hi Everyone!! Wow Sunday already!! Have big plans for the day? Maybe a Memorial Day picnic or a barbecue? Well if so, I have one of the best pasta dishes that you can take along with you. For today’s #SundaySupper mission, we had to make something that we could take on a picnic. When I think of picnic foods, I think of hamburgers, hot dogs, potato chips and potato salad. Well I didn’t make any of those, I made what I think is better and would compliment any dish you BBQ up!
This is my Mediterranean Pasta Salad! It’s made with mini cheese ravioli’s that I picked up at Trader Joe’s, cucumbers, tomatoes, scallions, fresh basil and a simply wonderful balsamic dressing to go over top. Thanks to Star Fine Foods, for sending me all those goodies to try, I have been on a major Mediterranean kick! I love the combination of cucumbers and tomatoes together and then topping it with a nice homemade balsamic, umm, yes please. I’m drooling thinking of it. One thing about this time of year, I’m really looking for fresh meals. In the winter it’s all about comfort, thick hearty dishes, but in the spring and summer, I am ready for light and refreshing meals, using all the freshest produce I can find. I think I crave that more now because it gets so hot here and I just want something to cool my jets!
This salad can be made in advance and the longer it sits the better the flavors are. The cheese in the ravioli’s give the salad a nice surprise then just using regular pasta. However, if you don’t have cheese filled ravioli’s, I recommend sprinkling some feta cheese onto the salad. I was originally going to do that, but then I figured that maybe too much cheese. I know, is their ever such a thing as to much cheese? I don’t think so! If your totally feeling lazy, you could skip making the dressing and add your favorite balsamic dressing, I have done that in a pinch. Since this recipe makes 13 cups, my Husband and I gave half away and had the rest for dinner the next night. It really does make for a nice meal, or a side dish and like I said the longer it sits the better the flavor!! Yum!
- 4 cups mini cheese ravioli's or other small pasta
- 3 cups cucumber, peeled, diced
- 2½ cups tomato, seed, diced
- 11 black olives (use more if you would like, I ran out)
- 3 tbsp. scallions, diced small
- 10 basil leaves, sliced small
- **Dressing**
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ½ cup red wine vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp. dried basil
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- ½ tsp. ground mustard seed
- ¼ tsp.salt
- ⅛ tsp. ground pepper
- In a large pot cook the pasta according to manufactures directions; drain and place in a bowl to cool.
- Add your tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, scallions and basil to the bowl of noodles; set a side.
- In a small bowl add all of your dressing ingredients; mix until combined. Pour over pasta and vegetables. Place bowl in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving. Can be made in advance.
Have a wonderful holiday!!! Now be sure to check out what goodies the rest of the #SundaySupper crew is going to bring on a picnic! Speaking of picnic, what is your favorite picnic food??
Enjoy!
Toodles,
Jennifer
Salads and Slaws:
- Bacon Ranch Potato Salad from Juanita’s Cocina
- Caprese Spinach Salad from Small Wallet, Big Appetite
- Chicken Chopped Salad from Table for Seven
- Cold Pea Salad from Shockingly Delicious
- Creamy Potato Salad with Roasted Pears, Cilantro and Romano Cheese from Gourmet Drizzles
- German Potato Salad from The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
- Hawaiian Cole Slaw from Curious Cuisiniere
- Italian Chopped Salad from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Kale Pasta Salad from Hip Foodie Mom
- Mediterranean Pasta Salad from Peanut Butter and Peppers
- Mizeria (Polish Cucumber Salad) from From Fast Food to Fresh Food
- PA Dutch Pepper Cabbage from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Pineapple Slaw from I Run For Wine
- Spaghetti Salad from Country Girl in the Village
- Tortellini Pasta Salad from Supper for a Steal
Sandwiches and Mains:
- Avocado Chicken Salad Sandwich from Momma’s Meals
- Caramelized Onion, Goat Cheese, and Tomato Sandwich from Magnolia Days
- Grilled Bratwurst and Onion Open-Face Sandwiches from The Urban Mrs
- Grilled Chicken Sandwiches with Green Goddess Sauce from Foxes Love Lemons
- Herbs-Garlic and Parmesan Croissants from Basic N Delicious
- Indian Spiced Chicken Drumsticks from Soni’s Food
- Japanese Picnic Bento Box from The Ninja Baker
- Mini Chicken Salad, Avocado and Cheese Subs from Big Bear’s Wife
- Moroccan Fried Chicken from MarocMama
- Pepper, Spinach and Goat’s Cheese Quiche from Happy Baking Days
- Picnic Basket Buttermilk Fried Chicken from Noshing with the Nolands
- Salmon in a Jar from Healthy. Delicious.
- Smoked Trout Deviled Eggs from The Wimpy Vegetarian
- Spam Musubi from Kimchi Mom
Desserts:
- Apricot Oat Nut Bars from Pies and Plots
- Chocolate Dipped Rice Krispie Treat Pops from In The Kitchen With KP
- Cocoa Cupcakes with Chocolate Buttercream from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Fruit Salad from The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
- Fruit Salad with Honey Port Drizzle from Family Foodie
- Loaded Butterscotch Bars from Vintage Kitchen
- Nathan’s Cookies from What Smells So Good?
- Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Treat Truffles from Chocolate Moosey
- Shandy Popsicles With Raspberries from Ruffles & Truffles
- Texas Sheet Cake with Pecan Frosting from Food Lust People Love
- Triple Chocolate Punch Bowl Cake from Neighborfood
Drinks:
- Fresh Limeade with Chia Seeds from girlichef
- Pineapple Sangria from Growing Up Gabel
- Strawberry Basil Lemonade from The Messy Baker Blog
- Strawberry Lemonade from Gotta Get Baked
- Top 10 Wines for Picnic #SundaySupper from ENOFYLZ Wine blog
- Watermelon Agua Fresca from Daily Dish Recipes
Check back on Sunday for all the recipes! You can join in the chat on Twitter too: we’ll tweet throughout the day and share all of our picnic recipes. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm EST. To join in, just follow the #SundaySupper hashtag, and remember to include it in your tweets. You can also check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more delicious recipes and photos.
Katy says
I’ve never thought of using ravioli in a pasta salad, what a great idea! Such a pretty dish!
Laura | Small Wallet, Big Appetite says
It is such a simple and yet great idea to use things like ravioli and tortellini in a pasta salad. I need to try this.
Katie says
Mmmm – I am so with you on loving anything Mediterranean style…and this pasta salad sounds right up my alley! Oh how I wish we had a Trader Joe’s nearby…those ravioli look so cute and yummy in the salad!
Angie | Big Bear's Wife says
now that is a perfect picnic pasta salad! I love that you used mini cheese ravioli’s!!
Amy Kim (@kimchi_mom) says
I LOVE salads that you can have as a meal and this would be no exception!
Carrie says
Quick & easy plus sounds delicious! How much better can you get? I think a trip to Trader Joe’s is necessary!
Jen @JuanitasCocina says
Clearly, I need a Trader Joe’s.
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
I think you need TJ’s too!!
Cindys Recipes and Writings says
I like cold tortellini in salad so this sounds perfect!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Thank you Cindy!
Diana @GourmetDrizzles says
What an awesome idea on the mini cheese ravioli… thanks for sharing this great recipe!!!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Thank you Diana! 🙂
Amanda @ Marocmama says
I don’t think you can ever have too much cheese. We’ve made a salad similar to this using tortellini but the mini ravioli’s are super cute I think.
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Thanks Amanda! Love the idea of using tortellini in a pasta salad!
Liz says
I love absolutely every component of your pasta salad, Jen. So light and refreshing..perfect for a holiday picnic!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Ahhh, thank you Liz! I love your cupcakes you made today! They look so delish!
Megan says
I love love love all the flavors in this dish. I must make this!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Thank you Megan! I do too! I am a big balsamic fan and I love it with pasta!
Courtney @ Neighborfood says
Yum.Mo.
Courtney @ Neighborfood says
Haha, I accidentally pushed enter on that last comment before I finished. But really, what more is there to say? This stuff looks yum.mo.
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
lol Courtney! Your funny! Thank you! 🙂
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
Oh, I love that you used mini cheese ravioli’s for this pasta salad! Brilliant!!! yum, love this!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Thank you Alice!
Tara says
You know how pea green with envy I am that you have Trader Joe’s and now you flaunt these perfect little cheese raviolis at me!! Shame on you!! Just kidding, that looks so very good!!! I will have two bowls please!!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
lol! I wonder if TJ’s will ever head to Canada? You should write to them, they actually respond too! Can you send care packages of food from the US to Canada? Maybe someone can ship you some TJ goodies?
kathia Rodriguez says
Its very different and I like it.
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Thank you Kathia!
Sarah Reid, RHNC (@jo_jo_ba) says
Great idea to use ravioli! What better way of getting cheese into your salad?
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
That’s what I thought when making this, I almost put more cheese in it, but the ravioli’s were just enough cheese!
Hezzi-D says
Mini ravioli in a pasta salad sounds so good! I’ve had tortellini in a salad but I’ve never thought to put ravioli in! I’m trying this one this week!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Love the idea of tortellini in a salad! Hmmm, you just gave me another pasta idea!
Martin D. Redmond says
Love this salad and it’s perfect for a picnic! Pinning!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Ahhh, thank you Martin!
Shannon @VillageGirlBlog says
I could eat this all day everyday! I love love love that you used mini ravioli! What a great idea.
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Thank you Shannon! I love the mini ravioli’s too! I just thought they were so cute, I just had to buy them!
The Café Sucre Farinec says
You’re always coming up with something delicious! I love all these flavors, you’re right this would be great with most anything!
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
I love the fat noodles in this salad. The mediterranean flavors sound wonderful!
Lane @ Supper for a Steal says
I am always drawn to Mediterranean flavors! This looks delicious. I have only tried tortellini in pasta salad, now I will need to hunt for some mini ravioli to try.
Heather @girlichef says
Oh, I love a good pasta salad – and the little raviolis or tortellinis make this perfect!
Lori @ Foxes Love Lemons says
Yum! I’ve never tried pasta salad with cheese ravioli, but I love it!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Oh you should try it!!
Nicole says
Oh wow. I love the ravioli idea! This looks fantastic!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Thank you Nicole!
Family Foodie says
Mmmm… I never thought of using raviolis in a pasta salad. Such a great idea! This looks so good, especially with the mediterranean flavors.
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Thank you so much Isabel!!
Susan says
I love the flavors in this pasta salad and the mini raviolis are a nice touch.
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Thank you so much Susan!
Renee Dobbs (@reneedobbs) says
I’ve used cheese tortellini for pasta salads and never thought about mini ravioli – what a brilliant idea! I agree to make pasta salads ahead and let them set and marry the flavors. What a great salad to take on a picnic too.
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Thank you Rene! I haven’t tried tortellini in a cold salad before, I am going to try that next time!
Nancy @ gottagetbaked says
Jennifer, this is the perfect light, refreshing thing to eat on hot days to pair with all the heavy hot dogs ‘n hamburgers I devour. We’ve all heard that the Mediterranean diet is super healthy so I’d like to think this is good for me too 😉
Soni says
Love pasta salads and your Mediterranean version sounds fantastic!Perfect picnic food for sure 🙂
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Thank you Soni! 🙂
Cara says
I found this recipe on pinterest, wrote down all the ingredients, ran to the grocery store and purchased all of the ingredients. Now, the website won’t load properly from any computer or device and I can’t access the recipe that i need for the party I’m attending this afternoon. To say I’m frustrated is an understatement. Does anyone, by any chance, have the recipe archived somewhere other than on pinterest? I’m desperate at this point….
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=2489891
Sorry I’m having Computer problems please find the recipe at the link above
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
Cook pasta according to directions on package.
Once pasta is cool add the vegetables.
In a small bowl mix the dressing ingredients together and pour over the pasta and the vegetables.
Refrigerate until ready to serve.