Easy Summer Pasta Salad
User Reviews
4.7
Easy Summer Pasta Salad
Description
This pasta salad recipe uses farfalle pasta cooked until al dente, then cooled to prevent it from softening further. The assortment of diced bell peppers, cucumber, and tomatoes add crunch and freshness, while artichoke hearts introduce a subtle tang and heartiness. Crumbled feta cheese provides a salty, creamy contrast to the vegetables.
The salad is dressed with balsamic vinaigrette which imparts a sweet and tangy note that melds the ingredients together nicely. Finely chopped fresh basil adds herbal brightness. Salt and pepper can be adjusted to taste to enhance flavors. The salad is best chilled prior to serving, allowing the flavors to marry.
This versatile pasta salad works well as a side dish for barbecues, picnics, or light lunches. It holds up well when prepped ahead and can be served cold directly from the fridge.
Ingredients
- 1 pound pasta we used farfalle, dry
- 1 yellow bell pepper seeds removed and diced, small
- 1 red bell pepper seeds removed and diced, small
- 1 bell pepper seeds removed and diced, small, orange
- 1 cucumber chopped, large seedless
- 12 oz artichoke hearts drained and chopped, in water, jarred
- 1 pint grape tomato halved
- 1 cup balsamic vinaigrette (can use store bought)
- 1 cup feta cheese crumbled
- 1/3 cup basil finely chopped
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente; drain, then rinse with cold water to cool.
- In a large bowl, combine pasta, peppers, cucumber, artichoke hearts, and tomatoes. Pour the balsamic dressing over the pasta salad and gently stir to combine. Add the feta cheese and basil and stir again. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Chill until ready to serve.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 10Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 349 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 349kcal | 17% |
| Carbohydrates | 41g | 14% |
| Protein | 9g | 18% |
| Fat | 17g | 26% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Cholesterol | 13mg | 4% |
| Sodium | 300mg | 13% |
| Potassium | 323mg | 7% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 1364IU | 27% |
| Vitamin C | 41mg | 46% |
| Calcium | 94mg | 9% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.7
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