Craving a delicious, crowd-pleasing dish that's both quick and incredibly satisfying? Look no further than this mouthwatering Quick Easy Pasta Salad! Perfect for summer gatherings, busy weeknight dinners, or when you need a delightful side dish that'll have everyone asking for seconds. With fresh ingredients and a zesty Italian dressing, this recipe transforms simple pantry staples into a culinary masterpiece that's sure to become your new go-to meal.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, diced
- 1/2 cup Italian dressing
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by gathering all your ingredients: 8 oz of pasta, 1 cup of halved cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup of diced cucumber, 1/4 cup of diced red onion, 1/2 cup of Italian dressing, 1/4 cup of crumbled feta cheese, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Fill a large pot with water and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring the water to a boil over high heat.
- Once the water is boiling, add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions, typically around 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- While the pasta is cooking, prepare the vegetables. Rinse the cherry tomatoes under cold water, then cut them in half. Dice the cucumber and red onion into small, even pieces.
- When the pasta is done cooking, drain it in a colander and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. Allow it to drain thoroughly.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, and diced red onion.
- Pour the Italian dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Gently toss everything together until the pasta and vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Add the crumbled feta cheese to the bowl and season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss gently to combine, being careful not to break the feta too much.
- Once everything is well mixed, taste the pasta salad and adjust the seasoning if necessary, adding more salt, pepper, or dressing according to your preference.
- Serve the pasta salad immediately, or cover it and refrigerate for up to an hour to allow the flavors to meld together. Enjoy your quick and easy pasta salad!
Tips
- Choose the right pasta: Short, sturdy pasta shapes like rotini, penne, or bowties work best as they hold the dressing and mix beautifully with vegetables.
- Cool your pasta properly: Rinse pasta with cold water after cooking to stop the cooking process and prevent it from becoming mushy. This also helps the dressing adhere better.
- Prep ingredients ahead: Chop vegetables in advance and store them separately to save time when assembling the salad.
- Let flavors marinate: For an even more delicious result, refrigerate the salad for 30-60 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to blend.
- Customize to taste: Feel free to add protein like grilled chicken or swap feta for another cheese to make this recipe your own.
- Keep it fresh: Consume within 2-3 days and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 324kcal
Carbohydrates: 55g
Protein: 9g
Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 6mg
