Sweet and Spicy Mango Pasta Salad

One thing you can count on during the summer is a lot of barbecues, picnics, and potlucks. But you don't want to be known as the one guest who always brings the same boring potato salad to every gathering. Instead of making a regular ol' bowtie pasta salad — a standard at these summer fetes — upgrade yours with fresh mango slices and a spicy mango dressing. You'll be the talk of the evening and this pasta salad will earn you a permanent invitation to all future events.

Bonus: This pasta salad is dairy free, so you can leave it out in the sun on a scorching summer day and not have to worry about it.

A perfectly ripe honey mango is exquisitely juicy, with a buttery texture. Native to Mexico and actually called "Ataulfo" after their grower Ataulfo Morales, these mangoes are terrific on their own, but they also make great additions to all kinds of sweet and savory dishes, such as this pasta salad.

The dish boasts a mix of colorful vegetables, including red pepper, zucchini, red onion, arugula, and, of course, mango. Feel free to add some sliced cucumbers or shredded red cabbage if you have those available. One great thing about pasta salad is there's no wrong way to make it; you can always customize yours to include whatever you like. Just remember the honey mango.