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Easy Italian Pasta Salad Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4 from 37 reviews
  • Author: Kimberly
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: Boiling
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This Easy Italian Pasta Salad is a vibrant and refreshing dish featuring tricolor rotini pasta tossed with crisp cucumbers, juicy cherry tomatoes, tangy feta cheese, and black olives, all brought together with a flavorful Italian dressing. Perfect as a quick side or light meal, this salad comes together in just 15 minutes and is best served chilled to enhance its bold flavors.

Ingredients

Salad

  • 1 box (12 oz) tricolor rotini pasta
  • 1 cup chopped cucumber (peeled and seeded, about 1 cucumber)
  • 1 cup halved cherry or grape tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
  • 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 1 can (2.25 oz) sliced black olives, drained

Dressing

  • 1/2 to 1 cup Italian salad dressing (to taste)

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the tricolor rotini pasta according to the package directions. Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse it thoroughly under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the noodles.
  2. Prepare the Vegetables: While the pasta is cooking, peel and seed the cucumber, then chop it into bite-sized pieces. Halve the cherry or grape tomatoes and finely dice the red onion to prepare for mixing.
  3. Mix the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chopped cucumber, halved tomatoes, crumbled feta cheese, sliced black olives, and diced red onion, ensuring even distribution of all ingredients.
  4. Add the Dressing: Pour half a cup of Italian salad dressing over the salad and toss gently until everything is well coated. Taste the salad and gradually add up to half a cup more dressing in small increments to achieve your preferred flavor and consistency.
  5. Chill and Serve: The salad can be served immediately, but for best results, refrigerate it for 1 to 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld together. Just before serving, add more dressing if needed, as the pasta may absorb dressing during chilling.

Notes

  • Chilling the salad enhances the flavor as the pasta absorbs the dressing.
  • Use fresh vegetables for the best taste and texture.
  • If preferred, substitute the feta with another type of cheese like mozzarella or parmesan.
  • For a vegan version, omit the feta or use a plant-based cheese alternative and ensure the dressing is vegan-friendly.
  • This salad can be prepared a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator.

Find it online: https://slsrecipes.com/easy-italian-pasta-salad-recipe/