Description
Italian Chop Pasta Salad is a vibrant, flavor-packed dish that combines colorful vegetables with perfectly cooked rotini pasta, all tossed in a zesty Italian dressing. Ideal for picnics, barbecues, or a quick weeknight meal, this salad offers a refreshing crunch and satisfying taste that will leave everyone asking for seconds. Customize it to your liking for endless variations and enjoy the delightful medley of flavors!
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz rotini pasta (about 2.5 cups)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 medium cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup bell peppers (mixed colors), diced
- 1/2 cup olives (Kalamata or green), pitted and sliced
- 3/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/2 cup Italian dressing
Instructions
- Cook the rotini pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente (about 8-10 minutes). Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
- While the pasta cooks, chop the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and bell peppers into bite-sized pieces.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta with the chopped vegetables, olives, and feta cheese.
- Drizzle Italian dressing over the salad and mix gently to combine. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (about 200g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: Feel free to swap in seasonal or favorite veggies like spinach or avocado. For added protein, include grilled chicken or chickpeas. Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to three days; refresh with extra dressing if needed.