Classic Pasta Salad Recipe
A delightful and easy-to-make Classic Pasta Salad featuring tender cooked pasta tossed with fresh vegetables and zesty Italian dressing. Perfect as a side dish for picnics, barbecues, or light lunches.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling and Tossing
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 2 cups elbow macaroni or any small pasta
Vegetables
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup black olives, sliced (optional)
Dressing
- 1/2 cup Italian dressing (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta.
- Prepare the vegetables: While the pasta cooks, wash and chop the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, and olives if using.
- Toss salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta and chopped vegetables. Pour the Italian dressing over and toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
- Chill and serve: Refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
- Use any small pasta shape you prefer, such as rotini, shells, or penne.
- Feel free to add herbs like basil or parsley for extra freshness.
- For added protein, include cooked chicken, tuna, or cheese cubes.
- Make ahead and store in an airtight container for up to 2 days for best flavor.
- Adjust the amount of Italian dressing to your taste preference.
Keywords: pasta salad, classic pasta salad, cold pasta salad, Italian dressing salad, easy pasta salad, summer salad
Find it online: https://famdishes.com/classic-pasta-salad-recipe/
