The weather is warming up and the invitations to barbecues are starting to come through. Anyone else go to a cookout and struggle to find healthy options to eat? Is that just me? I find that this is a constant struggle. While I love potato salad with creamy mayonnaise and pasta salad loaded with goodies, they don’t always agree with me. I end up with a plate with a garden salad and some type of protein, while staring longingly at all of the salads. That’s why I created this Pasta-Free Italian Summer Salad as a healthier alternative.

This spurred me to start doing some research and find a healthy alternative to the carb-loaded salads. My favorite is Italian Pasta Salad. Usually made with some type of colorful pasta and loaded with fresh veggies, cheese, and pepperoni, and topped with Italian salad dressing. I was trying to think of a way to make these healthier, but I kept hitting walls. I was searching for a low-carb pasta, but that appears to be an oxymoron.

I then decided, why not try my new favorite go-to… cauliflower. I figured that if I used cauliflower as the “pasta,” then I could make a true veggie Pasta-Free Italian Summer Salad.

The first one I made was a bit of a catastrophe. I left the cauliflower completely raw. It was crunchy, kind of hard, and very off-putting. I then tried steaming the cauliflower for 5 minutes. This was also a failure. It was way too soft and did not hold up to the salad. My third attempt mimicked Goldilocks’s baby bear and was just right. Steaming the cauliflower for 2 minutes caused it to soften slightly but still stay firm. I had my perfect “pasta” texture.

I added some cut-up fresh cucumbers, broccoli, tomatoes, and yellow peppers. I then cubed some sharp cheddar cheese and pepperoni and added all of those to the cauliflower. I tossed with a light Italian salad dressing (I like the Olive Garden Light Italian), or you can create your own dressing with Italian seasonings, olive oil, and vinegar. I also added a sprinkle of paprika.

I am so in love with the salad. It is light, fresh, and exactly what I needed for a side to all of the grilling that we do in the spring and summer. The fun part is that you can add any veggies that you want! Here is the recipe:

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I have already volunteered to bring this to the next two get-togethers that I am attending. I hope everyone else loves it as much as I do!

If you try this recipe, leave a comment and let me know what you think!