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!
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.
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
- Begin with cooking 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.
Done! Ensalada de Pasta is ready!
Serve immediately or cover bowl and allow pasta to cool in the refrigerator for an hour before serving.
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📖 Recipe
Ensalada de Pasta Penne
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.
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