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Easy Fresh Quick Pasta Salad Recipe

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A simple, colorful, and bright pasta salad ready in 15 minutes, perfect for summer picnics, barbecues, or a no-fuss lunch. This recipe combines pantry staples and fresh veggies with a tangy dressing for a refreshing and satisfying dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces rotini or penne pasta
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced
  • ½ cup red bell pepper, diced
  • ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
  • ½ cup black olives, sliced
  • ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 small garlic clove, minced
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or parsley

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of pasta and cook according to package instructions, usually 9-11 minutes, until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside in the colander to drain thoroughly.
  2. While pasta cooks, halve 1 cup cherry tomatoes, dice 1 medium cucumber (removing seeds if desired), chop ½ cup red bell pepper, and finely chop ¼ cup red onion. Slice ½ cup black olives and crumble ½ cup feta cheese. Place all in a large mixing bowl.
  3. In a small bowl or mason jar, combine 3 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 minced garlic clove, and 1 teaspoon honey. Whisk or shake vigorously until emulsified. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Transfer the cooled pasta into the bowl with veggies. Pour the dressing over and toss gently but thoroughly to coat everything evenly. Add 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or parsley and crumble feta on top, folding it in carefully to keep the texture intact.
  5. Give one last gentle toss. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Let the salad sit 5-10 minutes before serving to let the dressing soak in. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

Cook pasta al dente and rinse with cold water immediately after draining to prevent mushiness. Whisk mustard with lemon juice first to help emulsify the dressing. Soak red onion in cold water for 5 minutes to mellow its bite if desired. Toss gently after adding feta to keep texture intact. Salad can be made ahead and chilled for better flavor. Add grilled chicken or chickpeas for protein boost. Use gluten-free pasta for gluten sensitivities.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, quick pasta salad, summer salad, easy pasta salad, fresh pasta salad, rotini salad, penne salad, healthy pasta salad

Find it online: https://sagestirs.com/easy-fresh-quick-pasta-salad-recipe-15-minutes-perfect-for-summer/