Description
Quick & Easy Pasta Salad is a fresh, colorful dish loaded with crisp vegetables and tossed in a simple homemade dressing. It’s perfect for picnics, potlucks, meal prep, or a quick lunch, offering a light Mediterranean-inspired flavor with the combination of feta cheese and Italian seasoning.
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: Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta thoroughly and rinse under cold water to cool completely, preventing it from overcooking and sticking together.
- Combine Vegetables and Pasta: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta along with 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 combine all ingredients evenly.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste to ensure a balanced tangy and herby flavor.
- Toss Salad with Dressing: Pour the dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Toss thoroughly but gently until the salad is evenly coated with the dressing, ensuring all flavors are well distributed.
- Chill Before Serving: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes to allow the flavors to marry and the salad to become nicely chilled, making it refreshing and flavorful when served.
Notes
- Add grilled chicken, tuna, or chickpeas for extra protein to make it a more filling meal.
- Keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days when stored in an airtight container.
- Stir the salad before serving if made ahead to redistribute the dressing and freshen the ingredients.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
