October Festival Pasta Salad
This hearty and refreshing pasta salad combines rotini pasta, sautéed bratwurst, colorful vegetables, and a rich dressing, perfect for gatherings and cozy family dinners in the fall.
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 16 ounce rotini pasta Cooked until tender.
- 1 tablespoon liquid smoke Adds a unique smoky flavor.
- 1 teaspoon olive oil For sautéing bratwurst.
- 1 cup diced cooked bratwurst sausages Provides a hearty element.
- 4 tablespoons sliced green onions Divided for use in both salad and garnish.
- 1 tablespoon chopped garlic Adds flavor to sautéed bratwurst.
- 1 yellow bell pepper Finely chopped.
- 1 orange bell pepper Finely chopped.
- 0.5 cup diced celery For crunch.
- 0.5 cup chopped fresh parsley For freshness.
For the Dressing
- 0.5 cup spicy mustard Adds tang and spice.
- 0.5 cup mayonnaise For creaminess.
- 2 tablespoons water To adjust dressing consistency.
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar Adds acidity.
- 1 teaspoon white sugar Balances flavors.
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper For seasoning.
Instructions
Cooking the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a rolling boil.
- Add in the rotini pasta and 1 tablespoon of liquid smoke.
- Cook the pasta until tender, about 8 minutes.
- Drain the pasta and allow it to cool slightly.
Sautéing the Bratwurst
- Heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the diced bratwurst, 2 tablespoons of sliced green onions, and chopped garlic.
- Sauté until the bratwurst is golden brown, about 4-5 minutes.
Mixing Ingredients
- In a separate large mixing bowl, combine the chopped bell peppers, diced celery, and parsley.
- Mix in spicy mustard, mayonnaise, water, apple cider vinegar, sugar, and black pepper to make the dressing.
- Gently fold the cooked pasta and bratwurst into the vegetable mixture.
Serving
- You can serve the salad warm or chill it in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving.
- Garnish with extra parsley or green onions before serving.
Send me this recipe!
Just enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox!
Notes
For variations, consider using gluten-free pasta, adding more vegetables, or substituting bratwurst with mushrooms for a vegetarian option. Dress the salad just before serving to maintain crunchiness.