Description
Elevate your gatherings with this Zesty Italian Pasta Salad, a vibrant and flavorful dish that combines fresh vegetables, al dente pasta, and a zesty dressing. Perfect for picnics or family dinners, this salad is not only visually appealing but also customizable to suit your taste preferences. Enjoy the delightful mix of textures and flavors in every bite!
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz rotini or penne pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1 cup bell peppers (any color), diced
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup olives (black or green), sliced
- 1 cup Italian dressing (homemade or store-bought)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- While the pasta cooks, chop cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, and red onion into bite-sized pieces.
- In a small bowl, prepare the dressing if making homemade or pour store-bought dressing for convenience.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta with chopped vegetables and olives. Pour dressing over and mix thoroughly.
- Gently fold in grated Parmesan cheese before serving.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to enhance flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (250g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 15mg