Description
Classic Italian Pasta Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish that captures the essence of summer in every bite. This delightful salad features al dente rotini pasta tossed with a colorful medley of fresh vegetables, briny olives, and creamy feta cheese, all dressed in a tangy balsamic vinaigrette. Perfect for picnics, barbecues, or casual family dinners, this easy-to-make recipe is not only satisfying but also highly customizable to suit your taste. Experience the joy of Italian cuisine with this refreshing and hearty salad.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz rotini pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup bell peppers (mixed colors), diced
- 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
- 4 oz feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup basil leaves, chopped
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook rotini pasta in salted boiling water until al dente (about 8 minutes). Drain and let cool.
- While pasta cooks, chop cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, red onion, and basil into bite-sized pieces.
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta with chopped veggies and crumbled feta cheese. Drizzle dressing over top and toss gently.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1 cup (200g)
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 15mg