5.0 from 603 votes
Easy Pasta Salad Recipe
Pasta Salad with fresh veggies and a tangy Italian dressing is perfect for a potluck or backyard BBQ!
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Additional Time
2 hrs
Total Time
2 hrs 35 mins
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 233 kcal
Course:
Side Dish , Main Course , Salad
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 16 ounces rotini or any medium pasta shape
- ⅔ cup crumbled Feta cheese or to taste
- 1 medium English cucumber chopped
- 1 pint grape tomatoes halved
- 1 small bell pepper any color, chopped
- ¼ cup sliced black olives optional
- ¼ cup finely diced red onion or sliced green onions
- 1 cup Italian dressing or homemade dressing in the notes
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large pot, boil pasta in salted water until al dente (firm) according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
- Meanwhile, chop the cucumber, grape tomatoes, bell pepper, and red onions.
- In a large bowl, combine your cooked and cooled pasta, prepared vegetables, Italian dressing, and fresh parsley. Toss well to coat.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste and gently stir in feta cheese.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving to allow the flavors to blend and the pasta to soak in the dressing.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Any medium pasta can be used. Be sure to cook al dente (firm) as the dressing will soften the pasta further. Rinse under cold water once cooked to stop it from cooking.
- Dress the salad generously as the pasta will soak up the dressing.
- You can use any vegetables in this recipe (including leftover cooked/roasted vegetables). Additional favorites include zucchini, peas, peppers, tomatoes, and cucumbers.
- Optional but delicious additions include ham, bacon, salami, sundried tomatoes, pesto, artichokes, or finely diced broccoli.
- To make a quick homemade pasta salad dressing, whisk the following:
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- 1 clove minced garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon each dried oregano and basil
- 1 teaspoon each honey and Dijon mustard
- While whisking, very slowly drizzle in 1/2 cup olive oil until incorporated. Season with salt & pepper to taste.
Nutrition Information
Serving
1cup
Calories
233
(12%)
Carbohydrates
34g
(11%)
Protein
8g
(16%)
Fat
7g
(11%)
Saturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
Monounsaturated Fat
2g
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
7mg
(2%)
Sodium
303mg
(13%)
Potassium
258mg
(7%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
5g
(10%)
Vitamin A
896IU
(18%)
Vitamin C
23mg
(26%)
Calcium
68mg
(7%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 12servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 233
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1cup | |
| Calories | 233 | 12% |
| Carbohydrates | 34g | 11% |
| Protein | 8g | 16% |
| Fat | 7g | 11% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 7mg | 2% |
| Sodium | 303mg | 13% |
| Potassium | 258mg | 5% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 896IU | 18% |
| Vitamin C | 23mg | 26% |
| Calcium | 68mg | 7% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.