Elevate your summer gatherings with this vibrant and refreshing Gazpacho Macaroni Salad, a creative twist on the classic cold soup. This unique recipe combines al dente elbow macaroni with fresh garden vegetables like cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, and red onion, all tossed in a zesty dressing made with olive oil, red wine vinegar, and a hint of tomato juice. Aromatic garlic, fresh parsley, and basil add an herby kick, while smoked paprika delivers a subtle smoky depth. Chilled to perfection, this pasta salad is packed with bold, Mediterranean-inspired flavors, making it the ultimate side dish for barbecues, potlucks, or easy weeknight dinners. Ready in just 30 minutes, itβs a perfect way to keep cool and savor the taste of summer!
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package directions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the vegetables. Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber and red bell pepper, finely dice the red onion, and mince the garlic.
Roughly chop the parsley and basil leaves and set them aside.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, tomato juice, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika to create the dressing.
Add the cooled macaroni, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, garlic, parsley, and basil to the mixing bowl with the dressing. Toss everything together until the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
Cover the salad and let it chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Before serving, give the salad a final toss and adjust the seasoning with additional salt or pepper, if needed.
Serve cold and enjoy your refreshing Gazpacho Macaroni Salad!
Calories |
1510 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 61.6 g | 79% | |
| Saturated Fat | 9.1 g | 45% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5.4 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 2729 mg | 119% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 200.2 g | 73% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 17.9 g | 64% | |
| Total Sugars | 31.1 g | ||
| Protein | 37.5 g | 75% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 171 mg | 13% | |
| Iron | 12.1 mg | 67% | |
| Potassium | 2022 mg | 43% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.