Classic Pasta Salad Recipe
A refreshing and versatile Classic Pasta Salad featuring tender cooked pasta, crisp vegetables, and zesty Italian dressing, perfect for picnics, potlucks, and quick meals.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 2 cups elbow macaroni or rotini pasta
Vegetables
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup diced cucumber
- 1/2 cup diced bell peppers (red, green, or yellow)
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
Dressing
- 1/2 cup Italian dressing
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool the pasta and stop the cooking process.
- Prepare the Vegetables: While the pasta cooks, wash and chop all the vegetables as described. Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber and bell peppers, and thinly slice the red onion.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta with the chopped vegetables. Pour the Italian dressing over the salad and toss well to ensure everything is evenly coated.
- Chill the Salad: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 1 hour before serving. This helps the flavors meld and the salad to become nicely chilled.
- Serve and Enjoy: Give the salad a final toss before serving. Optionally, garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or basil for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Choose your favorite pasta shape; rotini and fusilli hold dressing well.
- For extra protein, add cooked chicken, tuna, or chickpeas.
- Use a homemade Italian dressing or store-bought for convenience.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Optional: sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese before serving.
Keywords: Classic pasta salad, picnic salad, Italian pasta salad, summer salad, cold pasta dish
Find it online: https://cookwithyana.com/classic-pasta-salad-recipe/
