5.0 from 357 votes
Easy Cold Pasta Salad
This easy Cold Pasta Salad has broccoli, bell peppers, zesty Italian dressing and Parmesan cheese. It's simple and always a favorite!
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 12 servings (1 cup each)
Calories: 274 kcal
Course:
Salad
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
For the Italian dressing:
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice from 1 lemon
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder or 1 clove minced fresh garlic
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
For the pasta salad:
- 16 ounces rotini or other small pasta
- 2 cups broccoli florets chopped and blanched if desired (see note 1)
- 1 red bell pepper stemmed, seeded, and chopped
- 1 yellow bell pepper stemmed, seeded, and chopped
- 1/2 red onion peeled and thinly sliced (see note 2)
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- To make the dressing, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, basil, oregano, parsley, garlic powder, and salt and pepper to taste (I like ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper).
- In a large pot, bring 4 quarts of water and 1 tablespoon salt to a boil. Add pasta and cook until tender, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain well, rinse with cold water, and drain again.
- In a large bowl, add the cooled pasta, broccoli, bell peppers, red onion, and Parmesan cheese. Drizzle with salad dressing and toss to combine.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Broccoli: If you'd like to blanch the broccoli (optional but recommended), bring 2 quarts water and 1 tablespoon salt to boil. Add broccoli and cook until just tender and bright green, about 3 to 4 minutes. Drain and immediately plunge into an ice bath to stop the cooking.
- Red onion: If you onion seems angry when you slice it (makes you cry), marinate it in the salad dressing for 5 minutes, or up to 30 minutes, before assembling the rest of the salad.
- Yield: This recipe makes at least 12 (1-cup) servings.
- Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1cup
Calories
274kcal
(14%)
Carbohydrates
32g
(11%)
Protein
9g
(18%)
Fat
12g
(18%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Cholesterol
7mg
(2%)
Sodium
141mg
(6%)
Potassium
199mg
(6%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
3g
(6%)
Vitamin A
499IU
(10%)
Vitamin C
45mg
(50%)
Calcium
113mg
(11%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 12servings (1 cup each)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 274
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1cup | |
| Calories | 274kcal | 14% |
| Carbohydrates | 32g | 11% |
| Protein | 9g | 18% |
| Fat | 12g | 18% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 7mg | 2% |
| Sodium | 141mg | 6% |
| Potassium | 199mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 3g | 6% |
| Vitamin A | 499IU | 10% |
| Vitamin C | 45mg | 50% |
| Calcium | 113mg | 11% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.