Fresh and Flavorful Pasta Salad Recipe Easy 5-Ingredient Summer Side Dish
A vibrant and refreshing pasta salad featuring rotini pasta, crisp veggies, feta cheese, and a tangy Italian dressing. Perfect for quick summer meals and gatherings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces (225 grams) rotini pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 medium cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/3 cup Italian dressing (homemade or store-bought)
- Optional: a handful fresh basil leaves, chopped
- Optional: 2 tablespoons red onion, finely chopped
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 8 ounces (225 grams) of rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions (about 8-10 minutes) until al dente, stirring occasionally.
- Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool it down quickly.
- While the pasta cooks, halve 1 cup of cherry tomatoes and dice 1 medium cucumber. Chop fresh basil and finely mince red onion if using.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, tomatoes, cucumber, and crumbled feta cheese. Toss gently to distribute evenly.
- Pour 1/3 cup Italian dressing over the salad and toss until all ingredients are lightly coated. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Cover and chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Notes
Do not overcook the pasta; al dente texture is best. Rinse pasta after cooking to stop cooking and remove excess starch. Use quality Italian dressing for best flavor. Chill salad for at least 30 minutes before serving for optimal taste. Toss gently to avoid breaking pasta.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1 cup (200 gra
- Calories: 250
- Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 7
Keywords: pasta salad, summer side dish, easy pasta salad, rotini pasta salad, fresh pasta salad, Italian dressing, quick salad