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+ servings
Pasta Salad

Deliciously Zesty Pasta Salad Perfect for Summer Picnics

This Pasta Salad is a refreshing summer dish filled with vibrant vegetables and zesty flavors, perfect for picnics and gatherings.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chill Time 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 cups
Course: SALADS
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 250

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 8 oz Rotini Pasta substitute fusilli or any preferred pasta shape
  • 1 cup Cucumber use mini cucumbers for a sweeter flavor
  • 1 cup Grape Tomatoes cherry tomatoes can be a good substitute
  • 1 cup Bell Pepper red or yellow preferred for sweetness
  • 1/2 cup Red Onion substitute with green onion for a milder taste
  • 1 cup Feta Cheese substitute with goat cheese or omit for dairy-free option
  • 1/2 cup Black Olives use green olives if preferred
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley basil or oregano can be excellent alternatives
  • to taste Salt
  • to taste Black Pepper
For the Dressing
  • 1/2 cup Italian Dressing store-bought or homemade

Equipment

  • large pot
  • Colander
  • Large bowl
  • knife
  • cutting board

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Boil Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook rotini according to package instructions, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water until completely cooled.
  2. Prepare Vegetables: While the pasta cools, chop the cucumber, halve the grape tomatoes, chop the bell pepper, and finely dice the red onion. Aim for uniform pieces for an appealing presentation.
  3. Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the cooled pasta, chopped vegetables, Italian dressing, crumbled feta, sliced olives, and parsley. Make sure everything is well-coated and season with salt and black pepper to your taste.
  4. Serve or Chill: You can serve the pasta salad immediately for a fresh taste or chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to let the flavors meld beautifully.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 8gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 300mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 800IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 100mgIron: 1mg

Notes

Optional: Garnish with extra parsley or a sprinkle of feta just before serving for an extra touch of color.

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