Description
Quick & Easy Pasta Salad is a fresh, colorful dish loaded with crisp vegetables and tossed in a simple homemade dressing. This Mediterranean-inspired salad combines rotini pasta with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, black olives, and optional feta cheese, all coated in a tangy Italian-seasoned vinaigrette. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, meal prep, or a quick and satisfying lunch, this salad is as versatile as it is flavorful.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 12 ounces rotini or fusilli pasta
Vegetables & Cheese
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
- ¼ cup black olives, sliced
- ¼ cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini or fusilli pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down completely.
- Combine the ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, place the cooled pasta. Add the halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, diced bell pepper, finely chopped red onion, sliced black olives, and crumbled feta cheese if using. Toss gently to mix the ingredients evenly.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Italian seasoning, salt, and freshly ground black pepper until well combined and emulsified.
- Toss the salad: Pour the dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Toss thoroughly but gently until all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing, ensuring balanced flavor throughout.
- Chill and serve: Cover the pasta salad and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill. Stir gently before serving to redistribute the dressing and freshen the salad.
Notes
- Add grilled chicken, tuna, or chickpeas to boost the protein content and make it a complete meal.
- This pasta salad keeps well refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days, making it ideal for meal prep and leftovers.
- If made ahead of time, stir the salad before serving to redistribute the dressing and freshen the flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
