• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Recipes
    • Meats
      • Beef
      • Chicken
      • Pork
      • Turkey
    • Seafood
      • Shellfish Recipes
        • Calamari
        • Clams
        • Crab
        • Lobster
        • Mussels
        • Oysters
        • Scallops
        • Shrimp
      • Fish
    • Salsas and Dips
      • Salsas
      • Dips
    • Soups
    • Side Dishes and Drinks
      • Side Dishes
      • Drinks
    • Breads and Grains
    • Vegetarian Dishes
    • Breakfast
    • Desserts
    • and More!
  • Recipes by Type
    • Puerto Rican Recipes
    • Mexican Recipes
    • Recipes
  • Beyond the Kitchen
    • and More!
    • My Best Blogging Tools
  • Library

Mexican Appetizers and More!

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Puerto Rican Recipes
  • Recipes
  • About Me
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Puerto Rican Recipes
    • Recipes
    • About Me
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Side Dishes and Drinks » Side Dishes » Ensalada de Pasta Penne

    Published: Aug 22, 2020 Modified: Aug 23, 2020 by Catherine Arena Leave a Comment

    Ensalada de Pasta Penne

    Share on Social!

    • Facebook
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This delicious creamy Ensalada de Pasta Penne (Mini Penne Pasta Salad) makes an excellent side dish to any meal.  Easy and quickly prepared in under 25 minutes!

    Ensalada de Pasta Penne (Mini Penne Pasta Salad) served in a white bowl.

    One of the best things about summer is of course all the barbecue and grilling we get to do! There is just something phenomenal that happens when we cook on a grill. 

    Whether you’re cooking on a charcoal or gas grill, something magical happens. Beef, pork, chicken, seafood, veggies, whatever it is, it just tastes better!

    Well at least that’s my opinion, although I have a burning feeling I do not stand alone in that feeling! 🙂

    Additionally it’s not just the grilling that’s delicious but all the delicious side dishes too! 

    That is exactly where this Mini Penne Pasta Salad comes in! This salad is just hyper yum and ready in 25 minutes or less!

    Latin Culture and Cold Salads

    For the most part, many people enjoy cold salads in the summertime. Of course, there are many people who still enjoy a cold salad throughout the year. But the point I’m trying to make is, we’ve become accustomed to seeing some sort of cold salad at a barbecue or maybe a potluck usually when it’s hot outside.

    But in the Latin culture, cold salads are enjoyed through out the whole year and it is never considered odd to serve some sort of cold dish at the dinner table.

    As a matter of fact, for us in the Puerto Rican culture, Ensalada de Papa (Potato Salad) Ensalada de Coditos (Macaroni Salad) is a must at the Christmas table as part of our main dishes served.

    In Mexico, Salpicón de Pollo (Mexican Chicken Salad), Salpicón de Cerdo (Mexican Pork Salad), Salpicón de Res and Salpicón de Mariscos (Mexican Seafood Salad) are served throughout the whole year.

    Cold salads whether pasta, potatoes, meat or veggie salads are normal anytime of the year in the Latin culture.

    Ensalada de Pasta Penne (Mini Penne Pasta Salad) served in a white bowl.

    Ingredients 

    With just a few simple ingredients that may already be sitting in your pantry and fridge, you can quickly put together this delicious pasta salad.

    • 1 pound mini penne pasta
    • 1 cup mayonnaise
    • 5 teaspoon vinegar
    • 1 smoked kielbasa, thinly sliced
    • 1 can peas, drained
    • 3 oz black olives
    • 1 zucchini, rinsed and thinly sliced
    • salt and pepper to taste

    How to Make Ensalada de Paste Penne 

    Cooked mini penne pasta in a glass bowl.
    All ingredients for Ensalada de Pasta Penne in a glass mixing bowl.
    1. Begin with cooking the mini penne pasta as per instructions on box.
    2. Once cooked, drain the pasta and set aside.
    3. In a skillet over medium heat, add the kielbasa sausage and sear on both sides.
    4. Toss in the zucchini and cook for 2 minutes.
    5. Turn off stove.
    6. In a large bowl, combine the pasta, sausage, zucchini, peas, olives, vinegar and mayonnaise.
    7. With a large spoon, mix and stir the pasta to combine all ingredients well.
    8. Add salt and pepper to taste.

    Done! Ensalada de Pasta is ready!

    Serve immediately or cover bowl and allow pasta to cool in the refrigerator for an hour before serving.

    Ensalada de Pasta Penne (Mini Penne Pasta Salad) served in a white bowl.

    Pin for Later ↓
    Ensalada de Pasta Penne (Mini Penne Pasta Salad) Pinterest Image

    📖 Recipe

    Ensalada de Pasta Penne (Mini Penne Pasta Salad) served in a white bowl.

    Ensalada de Pasta Penne

    This delicious creamy Ensalada de Pasta Penne (Mini Penne Pasta Salad) makes an excellent side dish to any meal.  Easy and quickly prepared in under 25 minutes!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 266kcal
    Author: Catherine Arena

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound mini penne pasta cooked
    • 1 cup mayonnaise
    • 5 teaspoon vinegar
    • 1 smoked kielbasa thinly sliced
    • 1 can can peas drained
    • 3 oz black olives
    • 1 zucchini rinsed and thinly sliced
    • salt and pepper to taste

    Instructions

    • Cook the mini penne pasta as per instructions on box.
      Once cooked, drain the pasta and set aside.
       
    • In a skillet over medium heat, add the kielbasa sausage and sear on both sides.
    • Toss in the zucchini and cook for 2 minutes.
      Turn off stove.
    • In a large bowl, combine the pasta, sausage, zucchini, peas, olives, vinegar and mayonnaise.
      With a large spoon, mix and stir the pasta to combine all ingredients well.
      Add salt and pepper to taste.
    • Serve immediately or cover bowl and allow pasta to cool in the refrigerator for an hour before serving.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 6 | Calories: 266kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 600mg | Potassium: 191mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 945IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Click the stars above or below to rate or leave a comment down below!

    More Puerto Rican Recipes

    • Empanadillas de Guayaba on a gray plate.
      Empanadillas de Guayaba
    • Alcapurrias de Yuca (Cassava Fritters) sitting on top of plantain leaves with a side of hot sauce.
      Authentic Alcapurrias de Yuca
    • Flancocho (Vanilla Flan Cake) served on a white transparent platter with a serving on the side.
      Puerto Rican Flancocho
    • Alcapurrias (alcapurrias puertorriqueñas) served on a white platter with hot sauce.
      Homemade Alcapurrias

    Subscribe

     
     

    Reader Interactions

    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

    Join the Discussion Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Profile Picture of founder of Mexican Appetizers and More

    HOLA! WELCOME!

    I'm Cathy! Here we like to talk about food, especially Latin food and appetizers. Love Mexican, Puerto Rican and other Latin food? Come and indulge with me in some of the tastiest Latin appetizers and dishes. 

    More about me →

    Recipes We're Loving this Month

    • Puerto Rican Chicken Soup (Sopa de Pollo) in a white bowl with white rice on the side.
      Puerto Rican Chicken Soup

    • Carne Molida (Puerto Rican Picadillo) cooked in a black skillet.
      Easy Delicious Carne Molida (Puerto Rican Picadillo)

    • Carne frita served in a white platter with a side of garlic dipping sauce.
      Carne Frita (Fried Pork Chunks)

    • Sopa de Salchichon (Salami Soup) cooked in a large caldero (dutch oven pot) with a side of white rice and avocado halves.
      Sopa de Salchichon

    • Pollo Chuco (Pollo con Tajadas) assembled on a white plate and pickled red onions on the side.
      Pollo Chuco (Pollo con Tajadas)

    • Puerto Rican Fried Pork Chops served on a white platter.
      Puerto Rican Fried Pork Chops

    • Espagueti con carne molida (Puerto Rican Spaghetti) served in a white bowl with a side of bread, tossed salad and grated parmesan cheese.
      Espagueti con Carne Molida

    • Ensalada de Coditos con Jamon (Macaroni Salad with Ham) served in a white salad bowl and a glass salad bowl.
      Ensalada de Coditos con Jamón

    Dinner Recipes

    • Costillas Fritas (Fried Ribs) served on a white platter with lime wedges and a side of garlic aioli and garlic vinaigrette.
      Costillas Fritas (Fried Ribs)

    • Mojarra frita laying on top of a bed of white rice surrounding by slices of red onions and avocado slices.
      Mojarra Frita

    • Espagueti con carne molida (Puerto Rican Spaghetti) served in a white bowl with a side of bread, tossed salad and grated parmesan cheese.
      Espagueti con Carne Molida

    • Fully cooked Sudado de Pollo (Colombian Chicken Stew) in pot.
      Sudado de Pollo

    Yummy Desserts

    • Flan de Calabaza served on a white and black patterned plate with caramel sauce around.
      Flan de Calabaza

    • Flan de Café (Coffee Flan) on a white platter and a smaller flan on another white plate topped with coffee granules.
      Flan de Café (Coffee Flan)

    • A slice of Budin de Pan on a small white plate with the rum sauce beside it in a gravy bowl.
      Budín de Pan

    • Arroz con Dulce Puertorriqueño (Puerto Rican Rice Pudding) served in a white casserole topped with ground cinnamon.
      Arroz con Dulce Puertorriqueño

    • Tembleque de Coco served in a rimmed mold, topped with coconut flakes.
      Tembleque de Coco

    • Flan de coco served on a large platter and two individual side servings with whipped cream.
      Flan de Coco (Coconut Flan)

    • Limber de Coco (Coconut Limber) prepared and frozen in plastic cups, topped with shredded coconut and ground cinnamon.
      Limber de Coco

    • Limber de Leche (Limber de Crema) served in plastic cups, topped with cinnamon and one flipped over inside cup. Cinnamon sticks laying beside limbers.
      Limber de Leche

    Popular Recipes

    • Puerto Rican Chicken Soup (Sopa de Pollo) in a white bowl with white rice on the side.
      Puerto Rican Chicken Soup

    • A batch of arroz blanco cooked in a caldero (dutch oven pot). Beside it is a white plate with a serving of rice and avocado slices and a small bowl of habichuelas guisadas (stewed beans).
      Arroz Blanco (Puerto Rican White Rice)

    • Chicharrones de Puerco (Pork Cracklings) served on a white plate with cilantro garlic aioli and lime wedges.
      Chicharrones de Cerdo

    • Carne frita served in a white platter with a side of garlic dipping sauce.
      Carne Frita (Fried Pork Chunks)

    • Refreshing Agua de Platano (Banana Agua Fresca) served in Mason Jars and topped with fresh banana slices and cinnamon.
      Agua de Plátano (Banana Agua Fresca)

    • Authentic Mexican Chicken Enchiladas with Red Sauce served on a green and white platter.
      Authentic Mexican Chicken Enchiladas with Red Sauce

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Me
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Service
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    Copyright © 2025 Mexican Appetizers and More

    Unauthorized use and/or duplication of material without express and written permission from this site's owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Mexican Appetizers and More with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.