Easy Pasta Salad {with fresh Veggies}
User Reviews
5
Easy Pasta Salad {with fresh Veggies}
Description
The Easy Pasta Salad combines cooked and cooled tri-color rotini pasta with a range of fresh vegetables chopped small: juicy grape tomatoes, diced English cucumber, tiny broccoli florets, diced yellow bell pepper, sliced olives, thin carrot slices, and chopped red onion. These fresh ingredients provide textural contrast and a balance of sweetness, crunch, and mild pungency.
Parmesan cheese sprinkled in adds subtle saltiness and umami, while an Italian salad dressing coats the ingredients with a tangy and herby finish. The salad is tossed thoroughly and chilled for at least 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the pasta to absorb some dressing.
This pasta salad works well as a refreshing side dish, particularly for outdoor meals or gatherings. Optional additions such as cubed mozzarella cheese can enhance creaminess and increase the cheese component.
Tossing the salad just before serving ensures even distribution of dressing and preserves vegetable texture.
Ingredients
- 1 (12 oz) box rotini pasta tri-color
- 1 pint grape tomato halved
- 1 1/2 cups cucumber English, diced
- 1 1/2 cups broccoli tiny chopped florets
- 1 cup yellow bell pepper chopped
- 1 cup olives sliced
- 3/4 cup carrot thinly sliced, baby
- 1/3 cup onion red, chopped
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese finely shredded
- 1 1/3 cups Italian salad dressing I prefer Kraft with this recipe, bottled
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions to al dente but do not season water with salt (the dressing has plenty). Drain and rinse under cold water.
- Pour pasta into a bowl, add tomatoes, broccoli, bell pepper, olives, cucumber, carrots, red onion and parmesan.
- Pour dressing over and toss to evenly coat.
- Cover and chill at least 30 minutes (or up to 1 day). Add a little more dressing if needed.
Notes
- Toss the salad just before serving to keep the dressing evenly distributed.
- Adding cubed mozzarella cheese can enhance the cheese flavor and texture.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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