Description
Spring Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing is a vibrant, refreshing dish that captures the essence of the season. Bursting with colorful vegetables like cherry tomatoes and cucumbers, this salad is drizzled in tangy Italian dressing for an irresistible flavor combination. Perfect for potlucks, picnics, or simply to brighten your weeknight dinners, it’s a delightful way to celebrate fresh ingredients and bring people together.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz short pasta (e.g., fusilli or penne)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup English cucumber, diced
- 1 cup bell peppers (red or yellow), diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup black olives, pitted and sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
- 1/2 cup Italian dressing (homemade or store-bought)
Instructions
- 1. Cook the pasta: Boil salted water in a large pot. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- 2. Prepare the vegetables: Chop cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, and red onion into bite-sized pieces.
- 3. Mix in olives and basil: Combine chopped veggies, olives, and basil in a large bowl.
- 4. Combine with dressing: Whisk together Italian dressing ingredients in a separate bowl. Pour over pasta mixture and stir gently until coated.
- 5. Chill before serving: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (200g)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 360mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 0mg