Description
Quick & Easy Pasta Salad is a fresh, colorful dish loaded with crisp vegetables and tossed in a simple homemade dressing. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, meal prep, or a quick lunch, this Mediterranean-inspired recipe combines rotini pasta with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, olives, and optional feta cheese for a vibrant and delicious salad.
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, usually about 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Drain well and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta completely.
- Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, add the cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, sliced black olives, and crumbled feta cheese if using. Gently toss to combine all the ingredients evenly.
- Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper until fully emulsified and well combined.
- Toss the salad: Pour the dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Toss thoroughly to ensure every ingredient is coated with the flavorful dressing.
- Chill and serve: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 20 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the salad to chill. Stir gently before serving to redistribute the dressing.
Notes
- Add grilled chicken, tuna, or chickpeas for extra protein to make it a more substantial meal.
- This pasta salad keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, making it ideal for meal prep or parties.
- If made ahead, give the salad a good stir before serving to recoat with the dressing and freshen the flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
