Easy Italian Pasta Salad Recipe

This vibrant Italian pasta salad mingles tender rotini with crisp cucumber, juicy cherry tomatoes, zesty red onion, savory olives and tangy feta cheese. A drizzle of Italian dressing unites the flavors into a refreshing medley of textures. Ideal for relaxed lunches or gatherings, this dish bursts with irresistible Mediterranean charm.

I love making this Easy Italian Pasta Salad when I need a quick and healthy meal. I start off using 8 oz of rotini pasta, which provides a great base for the dish and is full of energy giving me a good balance of carbs and satisfaction.

I mix in 1 cup of diced cucumber and 1 cup of halved cherry tomatoes that add a fresh crunch and vitamin boost. I also toss in 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion and 1/2 cup of sliced olives for extra flavor, plus 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese for that perfect salty kick.

Lastly I coat everything in 1/2 cup of Italian dressing, which ties all the flavors together. This dish is a reliable go to both as a cold side for friends gatherings and an easy dinner idea on hot days.

Its simplicity makes it a well rounded dish packed with nutrients and taste.

Why I Like this Recipe

I like this recipe because it’s super easy to throw together even on the busiest days. First off, I love how quick it is—boiling the pasta and mixing in fresh veggies means I can have something tasty in just minutes. Second, the mix of textures and flavors really wins me over; the crunchy cucumber and tomatoes paired with the tangy feta and olives make every bite interesting. And third, that Italian dressing brings everything together perfectly—its sharp, zesty flavor turns a simple dish into a real treat.

This easy Italian pasta salad only takes a few minutes to whip up with rotini pasta, fresh cucumber, juicy cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, your choice of olives, crumbled feta, and a good amount of Italian dressing. All you do is cook the pasta until it’s al dente, rinse it with cold water, mix in all the veggies and cheese, pour over the dressing, and then toss it all together. Letting it chill for a while makes all the flavors blend really well. It’s a simple, no-fuss recipe that somehow always tastes amazing!

Ingredients

• Rotini pasta offers essential carbohydrates for fuel and texture absorbing Italian dressing nicely.
• Diced cucumber supplies crunch, fiber, and hydration enhancing freshness in every bite.
• Cherry tomatoes provide vitamins and a light tangy flavor making it naturally healthy.
• Red onion gives a bit of sharp bite which adds depth of flavor.
• Sliced olives add a salty twist with healthy fats that elevate every taste.
• Crumbled feta cheese brings creaminess and protein contrast, balancing the salad perfectly.
• Italian dressing infuses the salad with tangy zest and unites all flavors together nicely.

Ingredient Quantities

• 8 oz rotini pasta
• 1 cup diced cucumber
• 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
• 1/2 cup sliced olives (green or black)
• 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1/2 cup Italian dressing

How to Make this

1. Boil 8 oz of rotini pasta in a large pot of salted water till its al dente, following the package directions.

2. Drain the pasta and rinse it with cold water to cool it down fast.

3. In a big mixing bowl, throw in the cooled pasta, 1 cup diced cucumber, and 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes.

4. Add in the 1/4 cup of thinly sliced red onion and 1/2 cup sliced olives.

5. Crumble 3/4 cup feta cheese all over the bowl.

6. Pour 1/2 cup Italian dressing over everything.

7. Toss the salad gently till all the ingredients mix well together.

8. Taste it and add some salt and pepper if needed.

9. Cover the bowl and let it chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to blend the flavors.

10. Give it one last toss before serving and enjoy your easy italian pasta salad!

Equipment Needed

1. Large pot for boiling the pasta
2. Colander to drain the pasta
3. Big mixing bowl for combining all ingredients
4. Knife to dice the cucumber and slice the red onion
5. Cutting board for safe chopping
6. Measuring cups to measure Italian dressing and feta cheese
7. Large spoon or spatula for tossing the salad
8. Refrigerator to chill the salad and blend the flavors

FAQ

Easy Italian Pasta Salad Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• If you dont have diced cucumber, you can use diced zucchini which gives a similar crunch.
• If you don’t get halved cherry tomatoes, try chopping up regular tomatoes, they work pretty well.
• If red onion seems too strong for you, try using a few thin slices of shallots, they add a milder flavor.
• If you prefer a twist on feta cheese, crumbled goat cheese can be a tasty substitute.

Pro Tips

1. When boiling the pasta, make sure you add plenty of salt to the water to help build some flavor from the start and use a timer so the pasta doesnt get mushy.

2. Rinsing the pasta in cold water really helps lock the flavor in and stop it from overcooking, so make sure you do it quickly even if you’re in a hurry.

3. For tossing the salad, be very gentle to keep all the veggies and crumble pieces intact, so you still have a nice mix of textures in every bite.

4. Letting your salad chill a bit longer than 30 minutes can really help the flavors meld together, but dont leave it so long that it gets soggy.