Description
This Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing recipe is a fresh, vibrant side or main dish loaded with rotini pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, red onion, feta, and a zesty homemade Italian dressing. Perfect for summer picnics, potlucks, or easy dinners, it’s vegetarian-friendly, customizable, and packed with Mediterranean flavors.
Ingredients
225g rotini pasta 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup cucumbers, sliced
1/2 cup black olives, sliced
1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/3 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- 1. Boil rotini pasta in salted water until al dente.
- Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
- Halve cherry tomatoes, slice cucumbers, thinly slice red onion, and chop parsley.
- In a jar or bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
- Combine pasta, veggies, olives, and feta in a large mixing bowl.
- Pour dressing over and toss gently to coat.
- Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Adjust seasoning if needed.
Notes
For best flavor, make it a few hours ahead to let flavors meld.
If the salad feels dry after chilling, refresh with extra olive oil or dressing.
Swap feta with vegan cheese or skip it for a dairy-free version.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 20mg