Description
Italian pasta salad is a refreshing and vibrant dish that perfectly captures the essence of summer. Bursting with Mediterranean flavors, this easy-to-make salad features al dente rotini pasta tossed with colorful vegetables, tangy olives, and creamy feta cheese. Whether served as a side dish or the main attraction at your next gathering, this crowd-pleaser is sure to delight taste buds and bring everyone together over shared flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz rotini pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 medium cucumber, diced
- 1 cup bell peppers (any color), chopped
- ½ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
- 4 oz feta cheese, crumbled
- ½ cup Italian dressing
Instructions
- Cook the rotini in salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- Chop the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, and olives into bite-sized pieces.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta with chopped veggies and gently fold in crumbled feta.
- Drizzle Italian dressing over the mixture and toss gently until everything is well coated.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approximately 200g)
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: For extra protein, add grilled chicken or salami. Customize by incorporating your favorite vegetables or fresh herbs like basil or parsley. To make it gluten-free, substitute rotini with gluten-free pasta.