Description
Tasty Cold Pasta Salad is a delightful and refreshing dish, perfect for summer picnics, barbecues, or quick weeknight dinners. This vibrant salad combines the goodness of al dente pasta with an array of crisp vegetables, creamy cheese, and a tangy Italian dressing that ties all the flavors together. It’s not only easy to prepare but also highly customizable based on your preferences or what you have on hand. With its colorful presentation and burst of flavors, this cold pasta salad is sure to be a hit at your next gathering!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound pasta (fusilli, penne, rotini, or farfalle)
- 1 cup sliced bell pepper
- 1 cup thinly sliced zucchini
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- 1/3 cup sliced green onions
- 1 cup mixed olives
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 cup fresh mozzarella balls
- 1/2 cup high-quality olive oil
- 1/3 cup vinegar (red or white wine)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Boil salted water in a large pot, add pasta, and cook until al dente (about 6 minutes). Drain and rinse under cold water.
- Prepare the vegetables: Chop bell pepper, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, and green onions; set aside in a mixing bowl.
- Mix ingredients: Add drained pasta to the bowl with vegetables. Stir in olives, cheeses, salt, black pepper, and oregano.
- Make dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together vinegar and olive oil until emulsified.
- Combine: Pour the dressing over the pasta salad mixture. Toss gently until well coated.
- Chill: Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving to let flavors meld.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (about 250g)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 29g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 13g
- Cholesterol: 30mg