This Classic Pasta Salad combines tender pasta with crisp, fresh veggies and tangy feta, tossed in a simple Italian dressing. It’s an adaptable and vibrant dish, easy to prepare and perfect for potlucks, BBQs, or easy weeknight dinners. The dressing soaks into the pasta for a well-rounded flavor that gets better with time, making it an ideal make-ahead recipe. Customize it with your favorite veggies or add a protein like chicken or shrimp for extra heartiness. With its bold colors and fresh ingredients, this pasta salad is as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate, bringing a delightful taste of summer to any gathering.
Full recipe:
Ingredients:
- 16 ounces rotini or any medium pasta shape
- ⅔ cup crumbled feta cheese (or to taste)
- 1 medium English cucumber, chopped
- 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 small bell pepper (any color), chopped
- ¼ cup sliced black olives (optional)
- ¼ cup finely diced red onion or sliced green onions
- 1 cup Italian dressing (or homemade dressing, see notes)
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Directions:
- Boil pasta in salted water until al dente, according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
- Meanwhile, chop the cucumber, tomatoes, bell pepper, and red onion.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chopped vegetables, Italian dressing, and fresh parsley. Toss well to coat.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, and gently stir in feta cheese.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving to allow flavors to blend and the pasta to soak in the dressing.
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 15 minutes | Chill Time: 2 hours | Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
Kcal: 233 kcal per cup | Servings: 12 servings
The Perfect Summer Side: A Classic Pasta Salad
Pasta salad is a timeless dish that has graced tables at picnics, potlucks, and family gatherings for decades. This Classic Pasta Salad brings together simple ingredients for a light, refreshing, and endlessly customizable dish that serves as both a side and a standalone meal. Its origins are rooted in Italian and Mediterranean cuisine, where pasta and fresh vegetables combine with light, flavorful dressings. Today, pasta salad has evolved into a versatile recipe, loved for its adaptability and the fact that it can be made ahead and served cold—perfect for warm weather gatherings.
Why This Recipe Stands Out
This Classic Pasta Salad recipe combines everything people love about a pasta salad: simplicity, fresh ingredients, and a tangy dressing that’s light yet flavorful. It offers a delightful balance between textures and flavors—crunchy veggies, creamy feta, and tender pasta all tossed in a zesty Italian dressing. This combination not only adds color to your plate but also ensures that every bite is packed with vibrant flavors.
Key Ingredients and Their Benefits
- Pasta: The foundation of any pasta salad, pasta provides complex carbohydrates, giving you sustained energy. Choosing a pasta shape like rotini, penne, or bow tie ensures that the dressing clings well to each piece, distributing flavor evenly throughout the salad.
- Fresh Vegetables: Crisp bell peppers, juicy grape tomatoes, and crunchy cucumbers add color, texture, and a refreshing crunch. These veggies are also rich in essential vitamins and antioxidants. Tomatoes bring lycopene, a powerful antioxidant, while cucumbers add hydration and fiber, and bell peppers deliver a good dose of Vitamin C.
- Feta Cheese: Feta adds a creamy texture with a slight tang that complements the Italian dressing perfectly. Besides being flavorful, feta cheese is lower in fat and calories than other cheeses, making it a healthier option. It’s also a source of calcium and protein, supporting bone health.
- Italian Dressing: Using a light, vinaigrette-based Italian dressing keeps the salad from feeling too heavy. Olive oil in the dressing adds healthy fats, while herbs like oregano and basil infuse the salad with Mediterranean flavors. You can easily make this dressing at home with olive oil, vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, and herbs, making it a healthy alternative to store-bought options.
- Herbs and Seasonings: Fresh parsley and seasonings like salt and black pepper enhance the flavors without overwhelming the dish. Parsley, often overlooked, is a superfood rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.
Health Benefits of Pasta Salad
Pasta salad is not only delicious but also nutritious when balanced with the right ingredients. It’s high in fiber thanks to the vegetables and the pasta, especially if you use whole-grain pasta. This fiber helps support digestion and keeps you feeling full for longer, which can be beneficial if you’re watching your calorie intake.
The combination of vegetables and herbs provides a range of antioxidants that help protect cells from damage. Antioxidants are essential in combating inflammation and promoting overall health, including skin and heart health. With fresh vegetables and healthy fats from the dressing, this pasta salad also supports heart health by improving cholesterol levels and providing a dose of vitamins and minerals.
Perfect for Meal Prep and Gatherings
One of the main reasons pasta salad has remained a staple for so long is its versatility and convenience. This recipe can be made ahead of time and actually benefits from sitting in the fridge for a couple of hours, allowing the pasta to absorb the dressing and the flavors to meld. It’s also easy to store, making it ideal for meal prep. The leftovers can be kept in the fridge for up to four days, making it an excellent option for busy families or individuals looking to save time during the week.
How to Customize This Classic Pasta Salad
This recipe is wonderfully flexible. You can add or substitute ingredients based on your taste preferences or dietary needs:
- Add Protein: Make it a more complete meal by adding grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu. For a more Mediterranean flair, you can add chickpeas or roasted chickpeas, which add a lovely crunch.
- Change Up the Cheese: If feta isn’t your favorite, try mozzarella pearls or even a sprinkle of parmesan.
- Incorporate Different Vegetables: Feel free to toss in roasted veggies like zucchini, eggplant, or even asparagus for extra flavor and nutrition. If you’re looking for more crunch, raw broccoli or cauliflower work well.
- Use Different Dressings: While this salad shines with a classic Italian vinaigrette, you could experiment with Greek dressing, a light pesto, or even a lemon-tahini dressing for a unique twist.
Tips for Making the Best Pasta Salad
- Cook Pasta Al Dente: Pasta should be cooked al dente to maintain its texture, as it will soften slightly once it’s mixed with the dressing and stored. After cooking, rinse the pasta under cold water to cool it down quickly and prevent further cooking.
- Dress Generously: Since pasta tends to absorb the dressing, be generous with it. If the pasta salad feels dry after refrigeration, you can add a little more dressing just before serving.
- Cut Vegetables Evenly: Chop your veggies into similar-sized pieces so that you get a little bit of everything in each bite. This ensures balanced flavors throughout the salad.
- Chill Before Serving: Let the salad sit in the fridge for at least two hours before serving. This allows the flavors to meld, making each bite more flavorful.
The Appeal of Serving Pasta Salad
Classic Pasta Salad is a crowd-pleaser and appeals to a wide range of tastes and dietary preferences. It’s vegetarian-friendly, can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free pasta, and is easy to adapt for other dietary restrictions. Its vibrant colors and fresh ingredients make it visually appealing as well, adding a pop of color to any spread. It’s not only tasty but also budget-friendly, as it uses simple, accessible ingredients that can be found at any grocery store.
Perfect Pairings and Serving Suggestions
This pasta salad pairs wonderfully with a range of other dishes, making it a great addition to summer BBQs, picnics, or even a cozy family dinner. Here are some pairing ideas to enhance your meal:
- Grilled Meats: Whether you’re grilling chicken, steak, or seafood, the pasta salad’s tangy flavors provide a refreshing contrast to smoky grilled flavors.
- Sandwiches or Burgers: For a casual meal, pair it with classic sandwiches or burgers. The salad adds a light, fresh element that balances out heartier main dishes.
- Vegetable Skewers or Grilled Veggies: Keep things plant-based by serving this pasta salad alongside grilled vegetable skewers, sweet corn, or grilled mushrooms.
Conclusion
This Classic Pasta Salad is more than just a simple side dish—it’s a versatile, healthy, and crowd-pleasing recipe that’s perfect for any occasion. Its combination of textures and flavors, along with its nutritional benefits and easy adaptability, make it a go-to recipe for those seeking a dish that’s both satisfying and easy to make. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a kitchen newbie, this pasta salad recipe is simple enough to master and will undoubtedly become a favorite in your recipe rotation. From its colorful presentation to its delicious, tangy taste, this pasta salad is a dish that brings people together. So, the next time you’re planning a gathering or simply need a make-ahead meal, give this Classic Pasta Salad a try—it’s sure to be a hit!
Print
Classic Pasta Salad
- Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
Description
This Classic Pasta Salad combines tender pasta with crisp, fresh veggies and tangy feta, tossed in a simple Italian dressing. It’s an adaptable and vibrant dish, easy to prepare and perfect for potlucks, BBQs, or easy weeknight dinners. The dressing soaks into the pasta for a well-rounded flavor that gets better with time, making it an ideal make-ahead recipe. Customize it with your favorite veggies or add a protein like chicken or shrimp for extra heartiness. With its bold colors and fresh ingredients, this pasta salad is as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate, bringing a delightful taste of summer to any gathering.
Ingredients
- 16 ounces rotini or any medium pasta shape
- 2/3 cup crumbled feta cheese (or to taste)
- 1 medium English cucumber, chopped
- 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 small bell pepper (any color), chopped
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives (optional)
- 1/4 cup finely diced red onion or sliced green onions
- 1 cup Italian dressing (or homemade dressing, see notes)
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Boil pasta in salted water until al dente, according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
- Meanwhile, chop the cucumber, tomatoes, bell pepper, and red onion.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chopped vegetables, Italian dressing, and fresh parsley. Toss well to coat.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, and gently stir in feta cheese.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving to allow flavors to blend and the pasta to soak in the dressing.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12 servings
- Calories: 233 kcal per cup
