Description
Italian pasta salad is a refreshing and vibrant dish perfect for any gathering. This crowd-pleaser combines colorful veggies, tender pasta, and a zesty dressing that tantalizes your taste buds. Ideal as a main or side, it’s simple to prepare and always leaves guests asking for the recipe. Whether served at picnics or barbecues, this pasta salad adds a burst of flavor and color to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz rotini or penne pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1 cup bell peppers (mixed colors), sliced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup olives (black or kalamata), sliced
- 4 oz feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/2 cup Italian dressing (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
- Boil water in a large pot, adding salt generously. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente (8-10 minutes), then drain and rinse under cold water.
- While the pasta cools, chop the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, and red onion.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta with the chopped vegetables and olives.
- Drizzle the Italian dressing over the mixture and sprinkle with feta cheese. Gently toss until well combined.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1 cup (210g)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 20mg