why make this recipe
Easy Pasta Salad is a great dish for any occasion. Whether you’re having a picnic, a barbecue, or just need a quick meal at home, this salad is perfect. It is colorful, nutritious, and very simple to make. You can also customize it with your favorite ingredients. Plus, it can be served cold or at room temperature, making it flexible for your needs.
how to make Easy Pasta Salad
Ingredients:
- Pasta (rotini or penne)
- Cherry tomatoes
- Cucumber
- Red onion
- Bell pepper
- Olive oil
- Vinegar
- Salt
- Pepper
- Italian seasoning
Directions:
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions; drain and let cool.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and bell pepper.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature.
how to serve Easy Pasta Salad
Serve Easy Pasta Salad as a side dish with grilled meats, or enjoy it as a quick lunch. It can also be a great meal prep option—just pack it in containers for easy take-to-work lunches.
how to store Easy Pasta Salad
To store Easy Pasta Salad, keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to three days. If the pasta absorbs too much dressing, you can add a little more olive oil and vinegar before serving.
tips to make Easy Pasta Salad
- Make sure to let the pasta cool before mixing it with the vegetables to keep them crisp.
- Feel free to add protein like grilled chicken or chickpeas to make it more filling.
- Taste the salad after mixing and adjust the seasoning if needed.
variation
You can substitute or add different vegetables like carrots, zucchini, or spinach. You might also use different dressings, such as a lemon vinaigrette or a creamy dressing, to change the flavor.
FAQs
Q: Can I make Easy Pasta Salad ahead of time?
A: Yes, you can make it a day in advance. It tastes even better as the flavors meld together.
Q: What type of pasta works best?
A: Rotini or penne are great choices because they hold the dressing well, but any pasta can work.
Q: Can I add cheese to this salad?
A: Absolutely! Feta, mozzarella, or parmesan would all taste delicious in this salad.
Easy Pasta Salad
A colorful and nutritious pasta salad that’s perfect for any occasion, served cold or at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 8 oz Pasta (rotini or penne)
- 1 cup Cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup Cucumber, diced
- 1/2 Red onion, chopped
- 1 Bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 cup Olive oil
- 2 tbsp Vinegar
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Pepper
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions; drain and let cool.
- Combine the cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and bell pepper in a large bowl.
- Whisk together olive oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning in a small bowl.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
Make sure to let the pasta cool before mixing it with the vegetables to keep them crisp. Add protein like grilled chicken or chickpeas to make it more filling.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
