Description
Italian Pasta Salad is a bright and refreshing dish that brings the flavors of Italy to your table. With its colorful medley of vegetables, chewy pasta, and zesty dressing, this salad is perfect for barbecues, picnics, or as a delightful side for any meal. It’s easy to prepare and can be customized with seasonal ingredients, making it a versatile favorite for gatherings or simple weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz rotini pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced (preferably English)
- 1 cup bell peppers, diced (mixed colors)
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup olives (black or green), pitted and sliced
- 1/2 cup Italian dressing (homemade or store-bought)
Instructions
- Cook the rotini pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- While the pasta cools, chop the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, red onion, and olives into bite-sized pieces.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta with the chopped vegetables.
- Pour the Italian dressing over the salad mixture and toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour to allow flavors to meld.
- Serve chilled, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 0mg