Description
Spring Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing is a colorful and refreshing dish that celebrates the vibrant flavors of seasonal ingredients. This easy-to-make salad features al dente pasta tossed with crunchy veggies, fragrant herbs, and a zesty Italian dressing. Perfect for potlucks, barbecues, or simply to brighten up your weeknight dinner, this delightful salad is sure to impress your guests and create lasting memories around the table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz rotini pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 medium cucumber, diced
- 1 cup bell peppers (mixed colors), chopped
- 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup Italian dressing (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the rotini pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- While the pasta cooks, chop the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, and red onion into bite-sized pieces.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta with the chopped vegetables.
- Drizzle the Italian dressing over the mixture and toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
- Add grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil; mix carefully to avoid breaking up the vegetables.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (150g)
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: Feel free to customize this salad with seasonal vegetables or add protein like grilled chicken or chickpeas for extra nutrition. For added flavor, consider a splash of lemon juice or using homemade dressing.