Description
Spring Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing is the ultimate dish for warm days, combining colorful pasta and fresh vegetables tossed in a zesty Italian vinaigrette. This light and refreshing salad is perfect for picnics, barbecues, or cozy family dinners. With its vibrant flavors and easy preparation, it’s sure to become a favorite that you’ll crave long after the last bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz rotini or farfalle pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 medium cucumber, diced
- 1 cup bell peppers (mixed colors), chopped
- 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
- 3/4 cup Italian dressing (homemade or store-bought)
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh basil or parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- Prep Your Veggies: Chop cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, and red onion into bite-sized pieces.
- Toss It Together: In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta with veggies. Add Italian dressing and mix until all ingredients are evenly coated.
- Add Cheese & Herbs: Gently fold in Parmesan cheese and herbs to enhance flavor without breaking the pasta.
- Chill & Serve: Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to meld flavors. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 15mg