Description
Zesty Italian Pasta Salad is a vibrant and refreshing dish perfect for picnics, barbecues, or any gathering. This colorful salad features al dente pasta tossed with crisp veggies and a zesty dressing that brings all the flavors together. Easy to prepare and customizable, it’s a crowd-pleaser that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz rotini pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup bell peppers (mixed colors), diced
- 1 cup cucumber, sliced
- 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the rotini pasta in boiling salted water until al dente (about 8-10 minutes). Drain and rinse under cold water.
- While the pasta cools, chop the cherry tomatoes, dice the bell peppers, slice the cucumber, and thinly slice the red onion.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, dried oregano, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta with chopped veggies. Drizzle with dressing and toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving to enhance flavors.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1 cup (200g)
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: For added protein, consider including grilled chicken or chickpeas. Feel free to customize with your favorite vegetables or herbs. This salad can be made up to two days in advance; just add fresh ingredients right before serving.