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+ servings

Italian Pasta Salad

A refreshing and colorful Italian Pasta Salad loaded with veggies, olives, and a zesty dressing, perfect for picnics or as a side dish.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 280

Ingredients
  

For the Base
  • 2 cups rotini pasta uncooked
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 cup cucumber diced
  • 1 cup bell pepper diced
  • 1/2 cup black olives sliced
  • 1/2 cup red onion finely chopped
For the Dressing
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Garnish
  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese grated
  • 2 tablespoons fresh basil chopped

Method
 

Prepare the Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes.
  2. Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside to cool.
Prepare the Vegetables
  1. While the pasta is cooking, prepare the vegetables. Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber and bell pepper, and slice the black olives.
  2. Finely chop the red onion and set all prepared vegetables aside.
Make the Dressing
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Italian seasoning, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
Combine Ingredients
  1. In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, black olives, and red onion.
  2. Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
Garnish and Serve
  1. Sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil over the top of the salad.
  2. Serve immediately or refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 280kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 10gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 500mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5g

Notes

This salad can be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Just remember to add the fresh basil and parmesan cheese right before serving for the best flavor.

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