Try This Zesty Italian Pasta Salad Recipe Today

Whipping up a delightful italian pasta salad can turn an ordinary meal into a vibrant culinary adventure.

Summer gatherings feel instantly brighter with this colorful dish.

Crisp vegetables and tender pasta create a perfect harmony of flavors and textures.

Fresh herbs dance through each forkful, bringing Mediterranean sunshine to your plate.

Tangy dressing mingles with cool ingredients, making every bite refreshingly delicious.

Home cooks love how simple yet impressive this recipe becomes.

Prepare to savor a classic that feels both comforting and exciting – you’ll want seconds!

Common Questions About Italian Pasta Salad

• Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, you can substitute rotini with other short pasta shapes like penne, fusilli, or farfalle that hold dressing well and are easy to eat.

• Is this pasta salad vegetarian?

Absolutely! This recipe is vegetarian-friendly and packed with fresh vegetables and feta cheese.

• How long can the pasta salad stay fresh?

The pasta salad will remain fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container, maintaining its crisp vegetables and delicious flavor.

• Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Definitely! In fact, preparing this pasta salad a day in advance allows the flavors to blend and develop, making it even more delicious.

What Makes Italian Pasta Salad So Irresistible

• Craft a Flavor Explosion: This Italian pasta salad bursts with vibrant Mediterranean ingredients that dance together in every single bite, creating a taste sensation that'll make your taste buds sing.
• Perfect Party Pleaser: Designed to feed a crowd, this versatile dish works brilliantly for potlucks, picnics, and summer gatherings where you want something colorful and delicious that everyone will love.
• No-Stress Preparation: With simple chopping and mixing, this recipe requires minimal cooking skills, making it ideal for beginners or busy home cooks who want maximum flavor with minimal effort.
• Nutrition-Packed Delight: Loaded with fresh vegetables, herbs, and protein-rich feta, this salad offers a balanced meal that's both satisfying and nutritionally robust, perfect for health-conscious food lovers.

Ingredients That Make Italian Pasta Salad Sing

• Rotini Pasta: Classic corkscrew-shaped pasta that holds dressing and herbs well.

• Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Red Onion: Crisp and colorful vegetables that add freshness and crunch to the salad.
• Black Olives, Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Provide intense Mediterranean flavor and rich texture.
• Fresh Basil: Adds a bright, aromatic herb note to enhance the overall taste.

• Olive Oil, Red Wine Vinegar: Creates a classic Italian-style vinaigrette base.
• Dijon Mustard: Adds tangy depth and helps emulsify the dressing.
• Minced Garlic: Provides a robust, sharp flavor foundation.
• Oregano, Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and elevate the dish.
• Feta Cheese: Creamy, salty cheese that adds a traditional Mediterranean touch.

How to Assemble a Zesty Italian Pasta Salad

Step 1: Boil Pasta to Perfection

Cook rotini pasta following package directions. Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water to stop cooking.

Let the pasta cool completely, allowing it to reach room temperature.

Step 2: Chop Fresh Vegetables

• Cherry tomatoes
• Cucumbers
• Red onion
• Black olives
• Sun-dried tomatoes
• Fresh basil leaves

Step 3: Whip Up Zesty Dressing

• Olive oil
• Red wine vinegar
• Dijon mustard
• Minced garlic
• Dried oregano
• Salt
• Black pepper

Step 4: Combine Pasta and Vegetables

Transfer the cooled pasta into a large mixing bowl.

Add the chopped vegetables and toss gently to distribute evenly.

Step 5: Dress and Enhance

Pour the prepared dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture.

Stir carefully to ensure every ingredient gets coated with the flavorful vinaigrette.

Step 6: Add Creamy Feta

Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese into the salad.

Fold gently to integrate the cheese without breaking the pasta.

Step 7: Chill and Marinate

Cover the pasta salad and refrigerate for at least one hour.

This resting time allows the flavors to blend and intensify, creating a delicious Mediterranean-inspired dish.

Tips for Pasta Salad That Doesn’t Get Mushy

• Rinse pasta thoroughly with cold water to stop cooking and prevent sticking, ensuring a perfect al dente texture.
• Chop vegetables uniformly for consistent flavor and aesthetic appeal in every bite.
• Use fresh herbs like basil just before serving to maintain their vibrant color and intense aroma.
• For a protein boost, add grilled chicken or chickpeas to make the salad more filling and nutritionally balanced.
• Let the salad marinate in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight to develop deeper, more complex flavors that will enhance the overall taste profile.

Pasta Salad Variations with an Italian Twist

• Mediterranean Zest: Replace rotini with orzo pasta, add kalamata olives, diced bell peppers, and crumbled goat cheese for a Greek-inspired version.
• Protein Power: Mix in grilled chicken strips, salami slices, or chickpeas to boost protein content and create a more substantial meal.
• Spicy Southwest: Swap fresh herbs with cilantro, add corn kernels, black beans, and replace feta with pepper jack cheese for a zesty southwestern kick.
• Pesto Paradise: Substitute the vinaigrette with homemade basil pesto, incorporate pine nuts, and sprinkle extra parmesan cheese for an intense herbal flavor profile.

Pairing Picks for Italian Pasta Salad

• Perfectly Pair Mediterranean Zest: Crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio cuts through the tangy feta and brightens the pasta's herbal notes.
• Complement with Protein Power: Grilled chicken breast adds lean protein and creates a balanced, satisfying meal that enhances the salad's fresh Mediterranean flavors.
• Balance with Crusty Companion: Warm, rustic sourdough bread provides a delightful textural contrast and helps soak up the delicious vinaigrette dressing.
• Refresh with Herbal Cooler: Sparkling water infused with fresh mint leaves cleanses the palate and matches the salad's bright, herbaceous profile.

How to Store Italian Pasta Salad the Right Way

• Refrigerate: Store the pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep it sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Freezing: Not recommended due to the fresh vegetables and cheese, which can become watery and lose texture when thawed.
• Drain Excess Liquid: Before serving leftovers, gently drain any accumulated liquid and give the salad a quick toss to redistribute the dressing and ingredients.
• Refresh Flavor: Add a small splash of olive oil and red wine vinegar before serving to revive the taste and restore the salad's original zesty profile.

Chilled Italian Pasta Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Summer’s best Italian pasta salad delivers Mediterranean flavors with crisp vegetables, tangy dressing, and perfectly al dente pasta. Colorful ingredients dance together, promising refreshing bites that transport taste buds to sunny Italian coastlines.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta:

• 12 ounces (340 grams) rotini pasta

Vegetables:

• 1 cup (150 grams) cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup (150 grams) cucumbers, diced
• 1/2 cup (75 grams) red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup (40 grams) sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced

Cheese and Toppings:

• 1/2 cup (75 grams) feta cheese, crumbled
• 1/2 cup (75 grams) black olives, sliced
• 1/4 cup (15 grams) fresh basil leaves, chopped

Dressing:

• 1/3 cup (80 milliliters) olive oil
• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) red wine vinegar
• 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Boil rotini in salted water for 8-10 minutes until al dente, following package guidelines. Drain and rinse with cold water to halt cooking process, then allow to cool completely.
2. Dice cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onion into uniform bite-sized pieces. Slice black olives and sun-dried tomatoes, then chop fresh basil leaves.
3. Create a zesty dressing by whisking olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and cracked black pepper until smooth and well-integrated.
4. Combine all prepared vegetables in a spacious mixing bowl, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
5. Pour cooled pasta over vegetable mixture, then drizzle prepared dressing. Gently toss using a large spoon to coat all components thoroughly.
6. Crumble feta cheese over the salad, folding gently to prevent breaking cheese into tiny fragments. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if required.
7. Cover and refrigerate for minimum 60 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and intensify. Serve chilled as a refreshing side dish or light meal.

Notes

• Make pasta al dente for the perfect texture by cooking it just until firm to the bite, preventing a mushy salad.
• Rinse pasta with cold water immediately after cooking to stop the cooking process and prevent clumping, ensuring each pasta piece remains separate and cool.
• Use fresh herbs like basil right before serving to maintain their vibrant color and intense flavor, adding a burst of freshness to the dish.
• For a protein boost, add grilled chicken, salami, or chickpeas to transform this side dish into a complete meal that’s satisfying and nutritious.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 330
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 360 mg
• Fat: 21 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 31 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg