Quick and Easy Zesty Pasta Salad

Name: Quick and Easy Zesty Pasta Salad
Prep time: 8 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 18 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups dry Small pasta (e.g., macaroni, ditalini, small shells) (Cooked according to package directions, then cooled); 1/2 cup Mayonnaise; 2 tablespoons Yellow mustard; 1/2 medium Red bell pepper (Finely diced); 1/2 medium Yellow bell pepper (Finely diced); 1/2 medium Green bell pepper (Finely diced); 1/4 medium Red onion (Finely diced); 1/2 medium Cucumber (Finely diced); 1/2 teaspoon Salt (Or to taste); 1/4 teaspoon Black pepper (Or to taste); 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley (Chopped, for garnish)

A delightful and simple pasta salad recipe, perfect as a side dish or a light meal. This recipe combines al dente pasta with crisp fresh vegetables like bell peppers, red onion, and cucumber, all tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing made from mayonnaise and mustard. It's quick to prepare and a crowd-pleaser for any occasion, especially for dinner or gatherings.

#Pasta Salad

#Easy Recipe

#Quick Meal

#Side Dish

#Vegetarian

#Summer Salad

#Potluck

#Dinner

Colorful Diced Vegetables

Recipe Information

Prep Time

10m

Cook Time

18m

Total Time

Servings

Easy

American

English

Nutrition (per serving)

320

Calories

Protein

40g

Carbs

15g

Fat

Creamy Dressing Preparation

Ingredients

Servings: 6

💡 Tip: Check off ingredients as you add them to keep track of your progress!

Pasta and Veggies Ready for Dressing

Instructions

0/6 completed

1
Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool down, then set aside in a large mixing bowl.
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10m
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Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool down, then set aside in a large mixing bowl.
10m
Rinsing with cold water prevents the pasta from sticking and cools it down quickly for the salad.
2
Finely dice all the bell peppers (red, yellow, green), red onion, and cucumber. Add the chopped vegetables to the bowl with the cooled pasta.
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5m
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Finely dice all the bell peppers (red, yellow, green), red onion, and cucumber. Add the chopped vegetables to the bowl with the cooled pasta.
5m
Ensure vegetables are diced uniformly for better texture and even distribution.
3
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, yellow mustard, salt, and black pepper to create the dressing.
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2m
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In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, yellow mustard, salt, and black pepper to create the dressing.
2m
Taste the dressing and adjust salt and pepper to your preference.
4
Pour the prepared dressing over the pasta and vegetables in the large mixing bowl.
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1m
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Pour the prepared dressing over the pasta and vegetables in the large mixing bowl.
1m
Ensure all ingredients are in a large enough bowl for easy mixing.
5
Gently toss all the ingredients together until the pasta and vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing.
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1m
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Gently toss all the ingredients together until the pasta and vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing.
1m
Use a large spoon or spatula to avoid breaking the pasta.
6
Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving. For best results, chill the pasta salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
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0m
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Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving. For best results, chill the pasta salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
0m
Chilling improves the flavor and texture of the salad significantly.