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Zesty Italian Pasta Salad


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  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

A vibrant and flavorful pasta salad that’s perfect for any occasion, easy to make, and a sure hit at potlucks.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups pasta (Fusilli or rotini)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup cucumber, diced
  • 1 cup bell pepper, diced (red, yellow, or green)
  • ½ cup olives, sliced
  • ½ cup red onion, finely chopped
  • ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • ½ cup Italian dressing (store-bought or homemade)

Instructions

  1. Boil a big pot of salted water and cook the pasta according to package instructions (about 8-10 minutes).
  2. Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water.
  3. While the pasta is cooking, chop the cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, and halve the cherry tomatoes.
  4. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta and all the chopped ingredients and mix gently.
  5. Pour the Italian dressing over the top and toss everything gently until coated.
  6. Chill the pasta salad in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

Can add optional ingredients like salami, artichoke hearts, or sun-dried tomatoes for an extra twist.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Mixing
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 250
  • Sugar: 4g
  • Sodium: 350mg
  • Fat: 9g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 32g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 8g
  • Cholesterol: 7mg