Whether you're looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a refreshing side dish for a summer picnic, Easy Pasta Salad is the answer. Bursting with colorful vegetables, flavorful herbs, and perfectly cooked pasta, this salad is a crowd-pleaser that will leave everyone asking for more. Best of all, it's incredibly simple to make and can be customized to suit your taste preferences. In this blog post, we'll guide you through the step-by-step process of creating this delightful Easy Pasta Salad that will become a staple in your recipe collection. Get ready to whip up a dish that's both satisfying and effortless.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces pasta (penne, rotini, or bowtie work well)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup black olives, pitted and halved
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional, for added creaminess and tang)
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
For the Dressing
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Step 1: Preparing the Vegetables
1. While the pasta is cooking, prepare the vegetables. Wash and cut the cherry tomatoes in half, dice the cucumber and bell peppers, thinly slice the red onion, and halve the black olives.
Step 2: Creating the Dressing
1. In a small bowl, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. This zesty dressing will bring all the flavors together.
Step 3: Assembling the Easy Pasta Salad
1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, diced red and yellow bell peppers, sliced red onion, halved black olives, and torn basil leaves.
2. Add the chopped fresh parsley to the mixture for added freshness and color.
Step 4: Dressing the Pasta Salad
1. Drizzle the dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture in the large bowl.
2. Toss everything together until the dressing coats all the ingredients evenly.
Step 5: Chilling the Pasta Salad
1. Cover the bowl containing the Easy Pasta Salad with plastic wrap or a lid.
2. Refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the pasta to absorb the dressing.
Step 6: Serving the Easy Pasta Salad
1. You can sprinkle some crumbled feta cheese over the top for added creaminess and tang.
Nutrition Facts
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Serving Size: 1 cup of Easy Pasta Salad (approx. 4 servings)
- Calories: approximately 280 kcal
- Total Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
- Sodium: 200mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 30g
- Dietary Fiber: 3g
- Sugars: 3g
- Protein: 7g
Conclusion
With its colorful vegetables, fragrant herbs, and zesty dressing, this salad is a perfect accompaniment to any meal or a light and refreshing meal on its own. Whether you serve it at family gatherings, potlucks, or as a simple weekday dinner, Easy Pasta Salad will surely win the hearts of all who taste it. So, gather your fresh vegetables, cook up your pasta, and whisk up the tangy dressing to create this satisfying and effortless dish. Embrace the goodness of a simple and tasty Easy Pasta Salad that will become a favorite in your kitchen.
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