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Bedford Grilled Vegetable Pasta Salad

Bedford Grilled Vegetable Pasta Salad features grilled zucchini, eggplant, peppers, onions, tender pasta, and a honey Dijon vinaigrette.
Ready in just 45 minutes.
Perfect for barbecues, potlucks, and summer meals
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Course Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American, Mediterranean-Inspired

Ingredients
  

For the Salad

  • 2 zucchini quartered lengthwise
  • 1 eggplant cut into ½-inch planks
  • 1 large yellow onion sliced into ½-inch rounds
  • 1 red bell pepper halved and seeded
  • 1 yellow bell pepper halved and seeded
  • ¼ cup olive oil divided
  • 2½ teaspoons kosher salt divided
  • 1 pound mezze rigatoni pasta
  • Fresh basil leaves plus extra for garnish

Honey Dijon Dressing

  • 5 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1½ teaspoons grated garlic
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions
 

  • Preheat a grill to medium-high heat, about 400–450°F (204–232°C).
  • Brush the zucchini, eggplant, onion, and bell peppers with 2 tablespoons olive oil.
  • Sprinkle the vegetables with 1½ teaspoons kosher salt.
  • Grill the onion slices for about 3 minutes per side until lightly charred, then move them to indirect heat and cook until tender.
  • Grill the zucchini, eggplant, and bell peppers for about 3 minutes per side until tender with grill marks.
  • Remove the vegetables from the grill and allow them to cool for about 10 minutes.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  • Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain well.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, grated garlic, remaining olive oil, and remaining salt until smooth.
  • Chop the grilled vegetables into bite-sized pieces.
  • Add the cooked pasta, grilled vegetables, and fresh basil to the bowl with the dressing.
  • Toss everything together until evenly coated.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  • Garnish the Bedford Grilled Vegetable Pasta Salad with extra fresh basil before serving

Notes

  • Penne, rotini, or fusilli can replace mezze rigatoni.
  • Fresh mozzarella pearls or crumbled feta make delicious additions.
  • Substitute maple syrup for honey if preferred.
  • Excellent served chilled or at room temperature.