Okay, listen up! If you’re looking for a seriously easy, totally delicious, and ridiculously versatile dish that screams “summer picnic” but is perfect any time of year, you NEED this recipe in your life. We’re talking about one of my absolute favorite go-to’s: a fantastic little number that fits right into your collection of pasta salad recipes. This isn’t some fussy, complicated thing; it’s simple, fresh, and packed with flavor. It’s the kind of recipe I whip up when I’m short on time but still want something homemade and satisfying. Trust me, once you try this, it’ll be on repeat in your kitchen, just like it is in mine!
Why You’ll Love This Pasta Salad Recipe
Seriously, what’s not to love about this pasta salad? It checks all the boxes for a perfect easy meal or side dish. Here’s why I keep coming back to this one, and why I know you will too:
- It’s lightning FAST! Seriously, you can have this ready in under 30 minutes.
- It’s SO easy. If you can boil pasta and chop veggies, you can make this. No fancy techniques needed!
- The flavor is bright and fresh. The simple dressing just makes everything pop.
- It’s crazy versatile. You can swap out ingredients based on what you have or what you’re craving.
- It’s perfect for EVERYTHING! Potlucks, picnics, busy weeknights, or just a light lunch. These kinds of pasta salad recipes are always a hit.
Essential Ingredients for Delicious Pasta Salad Recipes
Okay, let’s talk ingredients! The beauty of this recipe is that it uses simple things you probably already have or can easily find. For the best pasta salad recipes, you really want fresh, good-quality stuff. Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
- 8 ounces dry pasta: Any small shape works great – rotini, penne, fusilli, whatever you fancy!
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved: These little bursts of sweetness are a must.
- 1/2 cup cucumber, diced: Adds a lovely crunch and freshness.
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped: Gives it a little bite, but not too overpowering if chopped finely.
- 1/4 cup black olives, sliced: Salty little gems that just work with the Mediterranean vibe.
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese: That tangy, salty goodness that takes it to the next level.
- 1/4 cup olive oil: Use a good extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor in your dressing.
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar: Provides that essential tang to cut through the richness.
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano: A classic herb that brings it all together.
- Salt and pepper to taste: Of course, you gotta season it just right!
See? Nothing crazy! Just simple ingredients that make for truly delicious pasta salad recipes.
Simple Steps for Preparing These Pasta Salad Recipes
Alright, let’s get this beautiful pasta salad made! This is where the magic happens, but don’t worry, it’s super straightforward. Just follow these steps, and you’ll have a fantastic dish in no time. Making delicious pasta salad recipes is all about simple assembly once you’ve got your ingredients prepped. Here’s how I do it:
Cooking the Pasta Perfectly
First things first, get your pasta cooking! Bring a pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add your 8 ounces of dry pasta and cook it according to the package directions until it’s al dente. You don’t want it mushy! Once it’s done, drain it well and immediately rinse it with cold water. This stops the cooking process and cools it down quickly, which is exactly what you want for pasta salad.
Combining the Pasta Salad Recipe Ingredients
Now for the fun part – throwing everything together! Grab a nice big bowl. Add your cooled pasta, the halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, finely chopped red onion, sliced black olives, and the crumbled feta cheese. It should look like a colorful party in the bowl already!
Crafting the Flavorful Dressing for Your Pasta Salad Recipes
While your pasta is cooling (or while you’re chopping!), you can whip up the super simple dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Give it a good whisk until it looks well combined. Taste it and adjust the salt and pepper if you need to – remember, this is your dressing!
Tossing and Serving Your Pasta Salad Recipe
Almost there! Now, pour that lovely dressing you just made all over the pasta and veggie mixture in the big bowl. Grab some tongs or spoons and gently toss everything together until it’s all nicely coated. You can serve it right away, especially if you’re in a hurry, but I highly recommend letting it chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes (or even longer!) if you have the time. This lets all those yummy flavors really meld together. Trust me, it’s worth the wait for truly great pasta salad recipes!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Pasta Salad Recipes
One of the reasons I adore this recipe is how forgiving and flexible it is! Think of these as suggestions, not strict rules. For these kinds of easy pasta salad recipes, feel free to play around. Don’t have red onion? A little finely chopped green onion or even sweet onion works. Not a fan of black olives? Leave ’em out or swap in some Kalamata olives for a different vibe. No feta? Crumbled goat cheese or even little mozzarella balls (bocconcini!) would be lovely. You can also totally amp up the veggies – diced bell peppers, shredded carrots, or even some blanched broccoli florets are fantastic additions. The key is to use what you love and what you have on hand!
Pro Tips for Perfect Pasta Salad Recipes
Okay, so you’ve got the basic steps down, but here are a few little tricks I use to make sure my pasta salad is *extra* fantastic every single time. These really elevate simple pasta salad recipes!
- Don’t overcook your pasta! Seriously, cook it just to al dente. It will absorb some dressing as it sits, and you don’t want it turning into mush. A little bite is good!
- Chop your veggies evenly. This isn’t just for looks (though it does look prettier!), it also helps all the flavors distribute evenly in the salad. Plus, it’s nicer to eat when the pieces are roughly the same size.
- Give it time to chill. I know I mentioned it before, but seriously, letting it sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes (or longer!) makes a HUGE difference. The flavors really get a chance to meld and deepen. If you can make it a few hours ahead, even better!
- Taste and adjust the seasoning before serving. Sometimes, after chilling, the flavors can mellow a bit. Give it a quick taste and add a little more salt, pepper, or even a splash more vinegar if it needs it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pasta Salad Recipes
Got questions? Totally understandable! When you find a great recipe, you want to make sure you get it right and know how to handle it. Here are some common questions I get about this and other pasta salad recipes:
Can I Make This Pasta Salad Recipe Ahead of Time?
Absolutely, yes! This recipe is actually *better* when you make it ahead of time. As I mentioned, letting it chill for at least 30 minutes (or longer!) allows the flavors to really become friends. Making it a few hours or even the day before is perfect, especially if you’re taking it to a potluck or picnic. Just give it a good stir before serving.
What Other Vegetables Work Well in These Pasta Salad Recipes?
Oh, the possibilities are endless! This base recipe is super flexible. Besides what’s listed, I love adding finely diced bell peppers (any color!), shredded or matchstick carrots for a little sweetness and crunch, blanched broccoli or cauliflower florets, chopped celery, or even some sun-dried tomatoes for an extra punch of flavor. Just chop them to a size that’s easy to eat with the pasta.
How Long Does This Pasta Salad Recipe Last?
When stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator, this pasta salad will typically last for about 3 to 4 days. The dressing will continue to soak into the pasta, so the texture might change slightly over time, but the flavor usually just gets better! Give it a stir before serving leftovers.
Estimated Nutritional Information for This Pasta Salad Recipe
Okay, so while I’m definitely more about the “deliciousness” factor than counting every single thing, I know some of you like to have an idea! Based on the ingredients listed and a serving size of about 1 cup, here’s a general estimate of what you’re looking at for this fantastic pasta salad recipe:
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: Around 350
- Sugar: About 5g
- Sodium: Roughly 300mg
- Fat: Approximately 18g
- Saturated Fat: About 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: Closer to 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g (yay!)
- Carbohydrates: Roughly 40g
- Fiber: Around 4g
- Protein: About 10g
- Cholesterol: Around 15mg
Keep in mind, this is just an estimate! It can totally vary depending on the exact brands of ingredients you use, how much you pile onto your plate (oops!), and any substitutions you make. But it gives you a good ballpark figure for this yummy dish!
What do YOU Think? Let Me Know!
Alright, there you have it! My go-to easy pasta salad recipe. I really hope you give it a try and love it as much as I do. If you make it, please come back and leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out! Did you add any fun ingredients? Did you take it to a picnic? I’d love to hear all about it! And if you found this helpful, please feel free to rate the recipe or share it with your friends on social media. Happy cooking!
Print
Pasta Salad Recipes: Make 1 Insanely Simple Bowl
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A quick and easy pasta salad recipe perfect for a light meal or side dish.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup black olives, sliced
- 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, black olives, and feta cheese.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss to coat.
- Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Notes
- You can substitute any small pasta shape for the penne.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, or broccoli.
- Add grilled chicken or shrimp for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Tossing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: pasta salad, easy recipe, vegetarian, side dish, summer salad