Description
Pasta salad is a true summertime staple – a refreshing, versatile dish that’s perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a light lunch on a warm day.
Ingredients
- Rotini or penne pasta
- Diced cucumber
- Halved grape tomatoes
- Chopped bell pepper
- Minced red onion
- Italian dressing
- Crumbled feta cheese
- Sliced black olives
- Chopped parsley
Instructions
1. Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions, making sure to stop short of the recommended time to achieve an al dente texture.
3. Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to halt the cooking process and help it cool down quickly.
4. In a large bowl, combine the chopped cucumber, grape tomatoes, bell pepper, and red onion.
5. Add the cooled pasta to the bowl of vegetables and pour in the Italian dressing.
6. Gently toss everything together until the pasta and veggies are evenly coated in the flavorful dressing.
7. Fold in the crumbled feta cheese, sliced black olives, and chopped parsley.
8. Season the salad with a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
9. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully.
Notes
Letting the salad chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving allows the flavors to fully develop and meld together.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 10
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Unsaturated Fat: 6
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 10
- Cholesterol: 15