Fresh and flavorful pasta salad

Fresh and Flavorful Pasta Salad

This Fresh and Flavorful Pasta Salad is a perfect combination of crisp vegetables, tender pasta, and a zesty homemade dressing. It’s light, refreshing, and bursting with flavor—ideal for summer BBQs, picnics, potlucks, or as a quick meal prep lunch. The best part? It’s completely customizable! You can swap in your favorite veggies, add protein, or change up the dressing for a unique twist.

Ingredients

For the Salad:

12 oz pasta (rotini, penne, or bowtie)

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

1 cup cucumber, diced

½ cup red bell pepper, diced

½ cup red onion, finely chopped

½ cup black olives, sliced

½ cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)

¼ cup fresh parsley or basil, chopped

For the Dressing:

⅓ cup olive oil

3 tablespoons red wine vinegar (or lemon juice for extra freshness)

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon honey (or maple syrup for sweetness)

1 teaspoon garlic powder (or 1 minced fresh garlic clove)

½ teaspoon dried oregano (or Italian seasoning)

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Total Time: 25 minutes (Prep: 10 min | Cook: 15 min)

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

2. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente.

3. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Dressing

4. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and black pepper.

5. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 3: Assemble the Salad

6. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, black olives, and parsley or basil.

7. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well to coat.

8. Gently fold in feta cheese (if using).

Step 4: Chill & Serve

9. For best flavor, refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

10. Garnish with extra herbs or feta, and enjoy!

Nutritional Information 

Calories: 250 kcal

Protein: 6g

Carbs: 30g

Fat: 12g

Fiber: 3g

Sugar: 4g

Sodium: 280mg

(Nutrition varies based on ingredients and portion sizes.)

Notes & Tips

Want more protein? Add grilled chicken, shrimp, chickpeas, or tuna.

Make it gluten-free: Use gluten-free pasta like chickpea or lentil pasta.

Customize it: Swap feta for mozzarella pearls or use different veggies like zucchini or corn.

Storage:Keeps well in the fridge for up to 4 days—great for meal prep!