Italian Pasta Salad Recipe
Looking for the perfect Italian Pasta Salad Recipe that’s healthy, vegetarian, simple, and bursting with Mediterranean flavor? This fresh, delicious side dish is easy, quick, and ideal for summer gatherings or a colorful weeknight meal.
Ingredients
- 12 oz tri-color rotini pasta use whole-grain or chickpea pasta for extra fiber
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 cup cucumber diced
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper finely chopped
- 1/2 cup yellow bell pepper finely chopped
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives pitted and sliced (or green olives if you prefer)
- 1 cup mini mozzarella balls (bocconcini) halved
- 1/4 cup red onion thinly sliced (soak in cold water 5 minutes to soften the bite)
- 1/4 cup fresh basil chiffonade (or substitute fresh parsley)
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil choose a fruity California or Tuscan brand
- 3 tbsp red wine vinegar or white balsamic for a sweeter note
- 1 tsp dried oregano or 1 tbsp fresh, chopped
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder or 1 small clove, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste (start with 1/2 tsp salt)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rotini and cook 8–10 minutes until al dente—taste a twist to check.
- While pasta cooks, prep veggies: halve tomatoes, dice cucumber and peppers, slice olives, and thinly slice onion. Toss everything in a big bowl.
- Drain pasta and rinse under cold water to stop cooking; then add it to the veggie bowl. Gently fold in mozzarella and basil.
- In a small jar, combine olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Shake until emulsified.
- Pour dressing over salad and toss until everything’s evenly coated. Let it rest for flavors to mingle.
- Taste, adjust salt or vinegar if needed. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
I learned that rinsing pasta under cold water is a game-changer for texture. If your tomatoes are too juicy, deseed them to avoid a soupy salad. Letting the salad sit an hour before serving lets the oregano and vinegar mellow. For party prep, halve the recipe; this one scales well if you double for a larger crowd.
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