Easy Pasta Salad
Easy pasta salad is a refreshing, colorful dish made with pasta, crisp vegetables, cheese, and tangy dressing. Perfect for potlucks, picnics, BBQs, or a quick meal, it’s customizable, make-ahead friendly, and always a crowd favorite.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Side Dish, Salad
- Method: Boiling, Tossing
- Cuisine: American, Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 lb rotini or penne pasta (or any short pasta shape)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 1/2 red onion, finely diced
- 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese cubes or feta cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley or basil, chopped
- 1 cup Italian dressing (store-bought or homemade)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
- In a large bowl, combine pasta, tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, onion, olives, and cheese.
- Pour Italian dressing over the salad and toss to coat evenly.
- Season with salt, pepper, and fresh herbs.
- Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving for best flavor.
Notes
Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or salami for extra protein.Swap Italian dressing for ranch or Greek dressing.Use whole wheat or gluten-free pasta to suit dietary needs.Add artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, or chickpeas for variety.Stir before serving and add more dressing if salad seems dry.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Find it online: https://cookibly.com/easy-pasta-salad/
