Description
Zesty Italian Pasta Salad is a vibrant and refreshing dish that combines al dente pasta with a colorful mix of fresh vegetables, all coated in a tangy Italian dressing. This delightful salad bursts with flavor and is perfect for summer picnics, potlucks, or as a quick lunch option. Easy to customize with your favorite ingredients, it’s sure to impress guests and satisfy your cravings. Serve it chilled for the best taste experience!
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz rotini pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1 cup bell peppers (any color), diced
- 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 3/4 cup Italian dressing
Instructions
- Cook the rotini pasta in salted boiling water until al dente (about 8-10 minutes). Drain and rinse under cold water.
- While the pasta cools, chop cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, and red onion.
- In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta with chopped veggies.
- Add olives and Parmesan cheese to the bowl.
- Drizzle Italian dressing over the mixture and toss gently to combine.
- Cover and chill in the fridge for at least one hour before serving to allow flavors to meld.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approximately 240g)
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 15mg