Description
This best pasta salad recipe combines fresh vegetables, zesty dressing, and tender pasta for a delicious dish that’s perfect for any gathering. It’s quick to prepare and improves in flavor when made in advance.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz rotini or medium shell pasta
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 can black olives, sliced
- 1/2 red onion, diced
- 1 cucumber, chopped
- 6 oz feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to cool completely.
- While the pasta cooks, prepare the vegetables: dice the peppers, halve the tomatoes, slice the olives, dice the onion, and chop the cucumber and parsley.
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, Italian seasoning, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and black pepper to create the dressing.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chopped vegetables, and three-quarters of the dressing. Toss gently to coat.
- Fold in crumbled feta cheese and fresh parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Add the remaining dressing just before serving and toss again.
Notes
- This pasta salad stores well in the fridge for up to 5 days. Stir before serving to refresh the flavors.
- Customize with grilled chicken, chickpeas, or sun-dried tomatoes for added variety.
- For best presentation, garnish with extra feta and parsley before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: pasta salad, easy pasta salad recipe, fresh salad, potluck dish, picnic recipe