Description
A chilled, vibrant pasta salad made with rotini, fresh vegetables, and a tangy Italian dressing. Perfect for picnics, BBQs, and make-ahead meals.
Ingredients
8 oz rotini pasta
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cucumber, thinly sliced
1/2 cup red onion, diced
1/3 cup black olives, sliced
1/2 cup feta cheese (crumbled)
1/3 cup Italian dressing
Optional: roasted red peppers, grilled corn, crispy chickpeas, fresh herbs
Instructions
Boil pasta in salted water until al dente (8–10 minutes).
Drain and rinse with cold water.
Slice vegetables and crumble feta.
In a large bowl, combine pasta, vegetables, and cheese.
Pour dressing over salad and mix well.
Chill for 5–10 minutes before serving or store in fridge for later.
Notes
Use lentil pasta for gluten-free & protein-rich option.
Dress right before serving if preparing ahead.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-cook (after pasta)
- Cuisine: American/Mediterranean Fusion
Nutrition
- Calories: 240
- Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: pasta salad, healthy pasta salad, cold salad, picnic recipes, vibrant pasta recipes