Description
Spring Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing is a colorful and refreshing dish that brings vibrant flavors to your table. Packed with crisp veggies and tossed in a tangy Italian dressing, this salad is perfect for picnics, barbecues, or simply enjoying on a sunny day. It’s easy to make and can be customized based on your favorite ingredients, making it a go-to recipe for gatherings or meal prep. Dive into this delightful explosion of tastes that will leave everyone asking for more!
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz rotini or penne pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 medium cucumber, diced
- 1 cup bell peppers (red or yellow), chopped
- 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup Italian dressing (homemade or store-bought)
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh basil or parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Boil water in a large pot; add salt and cook the pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- While the pasta cooks, chop the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, and red onion into bite-sized pieces.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the Italian dressing ingredients: olive oil, vinegar, minced garlic (optional), oregano, salt, and pepper.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta with chopped veggies and pour the dressing over the top. Toss gently until everything is well coated.
- Top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped herbs. Serve immediately or chill for an hour to enhance flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (200g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 20mg