Zesty Italian Pasta Salad
Zesty Italian Pasta Salad is a vibrant, refreshing dish that captures the essence of summer in every bite. Bursting with colorful vegetables and tossed in a zesty dressing, this pasta salad is perfect for picnics, potlucks, or as a side at barbecues. With its delightful combination of textures and flavors, it’s sure to impress family and friends alike while being incredibly simple to prepare!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately 6 people 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz rotini pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup diced cucumber (preferably English)
- 1 cup bell peppers (mixed colors), chopped
- 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup sliced black olives (pitted)
- 1/2 cup Italian dressing (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the rotini pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and cool.
- While the pasta cools, chop the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, and red onion.
- In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta with chopped vegetables, olives, and Parmesan cheese.
- Pour the Italian dressing over the salad and mix with basil and parsley.
- Season with salt and pepper as needed. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving to enhance flavors.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: Customize by adding proteins like grilled chicken or chickpeas for extra nutrition. Swap seasonal veggies based on your preference for a unique twist. Use high-quality olive oil in your dressing for enhanced flavor.