Description
A quick and delicious pasta salad that’s perfect for busy weeknights or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces pasta (any shape you love!)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, diced
- ½ cup bell pepper, chopped
- ½ cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup mozzarella balls (or cubed cheese)
- ½ cup olives (black or green, your choice)
- ½ cup Italian dressing (more or less to taste)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Start by boiling a large pot of water. Add a pinch of salt, then toss in your pasta. Cook according to the package instructions until al dente, usually about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
- Mix the Veggies: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, and olives.
- Add the Cheese: Toss in the mozzarella balls. Consider adding crumbled feta or your favorite cheese.
- Combine: Add the cooled pasta to the veggie-cheese mix. Drizzle with Italian dressing and season with salt and pepper. Toss to mix.
- Chill: Let the salad chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes for the best flavor.
Notes
This salad is customizable. Feel free to add cooked chicken or shrimp for a heartier meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Chilling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: pasta salad, easy salad, quick meal, Italian dressing