The Best Easy Pasta Salad

Name: The Best Easy Pasta Salad
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 box Rotini Pasta (16 ounces or 450g, cooked and cooled); 1 pint Cherry Tomatoes (halved); 1 large Cucumber (diced); 0.5 medium Red Onion (finely diced); 4 ounces Feta Cheese (crumbled); 0.5 cup Kalamata Olives (sliced); 0.5 cup Italian Dressing (or to taste); 0.25 cup Fresh Dill (chopped); to taste Salt; to taste Black Pepper

This recipe guides you through making a delicious and easy pasta salad, perfect for parties, summer gatherings, or a light dinner. It combines al dente pasta with fresh vegetables like cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion, savory feta cheese, and Kalamata olives, all tossed in a zesty Italian dressing with fresh dill. Quick to prepare and packed with flavor, it's a high-protein option that's sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

#Pasta Salad

#Easy Recipe

#Summer

#Party Food

#Dinner Ideas

#High Protein

#Quick

#Vegetarian

#Picnic

Fresh Ingredients Laid Out

Recipe Information

10m

Prep Time

10m

Cook Time

50m

Total Time

Servings

Easy

American

English

Nutrition (per serving)

320

Calories

12g

Protein

38g

Carbs

15g

Fat

Chopped Vegetables Ready

Ingredients

Servings: 6

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

All Components in Mixing Bowl

Instructions

0/6 completed

1
Cook the rotini pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and rinse with cold water to cool completely. Set aside.
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10m
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Cook the rotini pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and rinse with cold water to cool completely. Set aside.
10m
Rinsing with cold water stops the cooking process and prevents the pasta from sticking together, ensuring a perfect texture for the salad.
2
While the pasta cools, prepare your vegetables: halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, and finely dice the red onion.
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7m
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While the pasta cools, prepare your vegetables: halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, and finely dice the red onion.
7m
Uniformly cut vegetables ensure that each bite of pasta salad has a balanced mix of ingredients.
3
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, diced red onion, crumbled feta cheese, and sliced Kalamata olives.
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1m
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, diced red onion, crumbled feta cheese, and sliced Kalamata olives.
1m
Use a bowl large enough to allow for easy tossing without spilling.
4
Pour the Italian dressing over the combined ingredients. Add the chopped fresh dill, and season with salt and black pepper to taste.
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1m
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Pour the Italian dressing over the combined ingredients. Add the chopped fresh dill, and season with salt and black pepper to taste.
1m
Start with half the dressing and add more if needed. You can always add, but you can't take away!
5
Gently toss all the ingredients until they are thoroughly mixed and evenly coated with the dressing.
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1m
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Gently toss all the ingredients until they are thoroughly mixed and evenly coated with the dressing.
1m
Use two large spoons or tongs for easy and gentle tossing to avoid breaking the pasta or vegetables.
6
Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together. Serve chilled.
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30m
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Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together. Serve chilled.
30m
Chilling is crucial for pasta salad as it allows the dressing to soak into the ingredients and enhance the overall flavor.