Pasta Salad
Pasta salad is quick to make, full of fresh flavors, and perfect for picnics, family dinners, or simple lunches. Easy to customize and always satisfying, it fits right into your everyday cooking.
Equipment
- Large Bowl
- Pot
Ingredients
Pasta
- 8 oz pasta fusilli, rotini, or penne
Vegetables
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 cup cucumber diced
- 1/2 cup red onion finely chopped
- 1/2 cup black olives sliced
Cheese & Herbs
- 1 cup mozzarella balls or cubed cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves chopped
- 1/3 cup Italian dressing homemade or bottled
Seasoning
- salt to taste
- freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool down.
- In a large bowl, combine cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, black olives, mozzarella, and basil.
- Add the cooled pasta to the bowl and pour Italian dressing over the salad. Toss gently to coat evenly.
- Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, keeping in mind olives and dressing add saltiness.
- Chill the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Notes
Using fresh, high-quality ingredients makes all the difference. Feel free to customize with your favorite veggies or proteins.