Refreshing Pasta Salad
This vibrant pasta salad is the ultimate dish for summer gatherings or quick weeknight meals. Featuring al dente rotini pasta tossed with colorful vegetables and a tangy homemade dressing, it’s not just easy to prepare but also perfect for meal prep. In just 30 minutes, you can enjoy this refreshing dish as a side or elevate it to a main course by adding protein. Delight your taste buds with this flavorful salad everyone will love!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups rotini pasta (uncooked)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1 cup cucumber (diced)
- 1 cup bell peppers (diced, mixed colors)
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tsp dried Italian herbs
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- 1. Cook the Pasta: Boil salted water in a large pot. Add rotini pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
- 2. Prepare Vegetables: While the pasta cooks, chop cherry tomatoes, dice cucumber, and bell peppers.
- 3. Make Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, dried herbs, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
- 4. Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix cooked pasta with chopped veggies. Pour dressing over the top and toss gently until evenly coated.
- 5. Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour to let flavors meld.
- 6. Serve: Transfer to serving plates and enjoy cold as a refreshing side or main dish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 0mg