Classic Pasta Salad

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 10 min
🍽 Serves: 6
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This Classic Pasta Salad is a timeless favorite that's perfect for picnics, potlucks, or just as a refreshing side dish. With a vibrant mix of veggies and a tangy Italian dressing, it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s sure to impress.

Ingredients for Classic Pasta Salad

Fusilli pasta serves as the hearty base, its spirals perfect for catching all the delicious dressing. Cherry tomatoes add a burst of sweetness and color, while cucumber contributes a refreshing crunch. The red bell pepper offers a mild sweetness and vibrant hue. Red onion gives a sharp, savory bite, and black olives bring a salty, briny flavor that complements the vegetables. Fresh parsley adds a hint of earthiness and brightness. Italian dressing ties everything together with its zesty tang, and feta cheese provides a creamy, salty finish that elevates the whole dish.

Tips & Tricks

  • Rinse the pasta in cold water to prevent it from sticking and to cool it quickly.
  • For extra flavor, use marinated feta cheese or olives.
  • Make it a full meal by adding grilled chicken or shrimp.
  • For more crunch, toss in some toasted pine nuts right before serving.

Serving Suggestions

This pasta salad is a versatile side that pairs wonderfully with grilled meats like chicken, steak, or fish. It’s also a great addition to a brunch spread with quiches or sandwiches. For a vegetarian meal, serve it alongside a hearty bean salad or a cheese platter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this pasta salad ahead of time?
Absolutely! It actually tastes better after sitting in the fridge for a few hours or overnight.
How long will it last in the fridge?
It should keep well for up to 3 days when stored in an airtight container.
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Yes, any short pasta like penne or rotini will work well in this recipe.

Classic Pasta Salad Recipe Walkthrough

First things first, get your pasta on the stove. Cook the fusilli pasta according to the package instructions until it's al dente. You want it to have a bit of bite so it holds up well in the salad. Once it’s done, rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and drain it well.

While the pasta is cooling, grab a large mixing bowl and start assembling the veggies. Toss in the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, black olives, and parsley. These colorful ingredients are not only tasty but also look beautiful together.

Now, add the cooled pasta to the bowl with your vibrant mix of veggies. Use a gentle hand to toss everything together so you don’t break the pasta. Next, pour in the Italian dressing over your salad. Toss again, ensuring every piece is well-coated with that zesty goodness.

Finally, gently fold in the feta cheese. You want to distribute it throughout the salad without smashing it. Pop the salad in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving — this gives the flavors time to mingle and develop.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Quick to prepare and even quicker to disappear from the table.
  • A delightful mix of textures and flavors — crunchy, creamy, and tangy.
  • Perfect for making ahead — tastes even better the next day!
  • Versatile and easy to customize with your favorite veggies or proteins.

Ingredients

1 lb fusilli pasta
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup cucumber, diced
1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup black olives, sliced
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/2 cup Italian dressing
1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Cook the fusilli pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Rinse under cold water and drain.
2. In a large bowl, combine the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, black olives, and parsley.
3. Add the cooked pasta to the bowl with the vegetables and toss gently to combine.
4. Pour the Italian dressing over the salad and toss again until everything is evenly coated.
5. Gently fold in the crumbled feta cheese, ensuring it is distributed throughout the salad.
6. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld together.

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