Tricolor Pasta Salad With Cheese Dressing Recipe
Summary
Difficulty LevelEasyHealth IndexHealthy
Ingredients
8 ouncestricolorrotini, medium-size pasta shells, or elbow macaroni
4 cups cauliflower florets (8 ounces)
3 medium-size carrots, peeled and thinly sliced on the diagonal
2 medium-size stalks celery, thinly sliced on the diagonal
1 small yellow summer squash, halved and thinly sliced on the diagonal
For the dressing:
1 cup low-fat (1% milkfat) cottage cheese
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons apple juice
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 clove garlic, minced
1 1/4 teaspoons dried basil, crumbled
1/4 teaspoon each salt and black pepper, or to taste
2 green onions, including tops, sliced (optional garnish)
Directions
1 Bring a stockpot of water to a boil, then add the pasta.
When the water returns to a boil, add the cauliflower and carrots and cook for 4 minutes.
Add the celery and cook 3 minutes more or until the pasta is firm-tender.
Add the squash, remove from the heat, and drain in a colander.
Rinse well under cold water and transfer to a large bowl.
2 To make the dressing: In a food processor or blender, whirl the cottage cheese, Parmesan, apple juice, vinegar, mustard, garlic, basil, salt, and pepper until smooth.
Pour the dressing over the pasta-vegetable mixture and toss to coat.
Cover with plastic food wrap and chill for 4 hours.
Garnish with green onions if desired.
When the water returns to a boil, add the cauliflower and carrots and cook for 4 minutes.
Add the celery and cook 3 minutes more or until the pasta is firm-tender.
Add the squash, remove from the heat, and drain in a colander.
Rinse well under cold water and transfer to a large bowl.
2 To make the dressing: In a food processor or blender, whirl the cottage cheese, Parmesan, apple juice, vinegar, mustard, garlic, basil, salt, and pepper until smooth.
Pour the dressing over the pasta-vegetable mixture and toss to coat.
Cover with plastic food wrap and chill for 4 hours.
Garnish with green onions if desired.