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cold pasta salad

A refreshing and colorful cold pasta salad perfect for summer gatherings or as a side dish.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 250

Ingredients
  

Pasta
  • 8 oz fusilli pasta or any pasta of choice
Vegetables
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 cup cucumber diced
  • 1 cup bell pepper diced
  • 1/2 cup red onion finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup black olives sliced
Dressing
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1 tsp salt to taste
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper to taste
Herbs
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil chopped

Method
 

Cook the Pasta
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fusilli pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
  2. Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse under cold water to cool. Set aside.
Prepare the Vegetables
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, and black olives.
Make the Dressing
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
Combine Everything
  1. Add the cooled pasta to the bowl with the vegetables. Pour the dressing over the top and toss to combine.
  2. Add the chopped parsley and basil, and toss again to distribute evenly.
Chill and Serve
  1. Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
  2. Serve chilled and enjoy!

Notes

Feel free to customize the salad with your favorite vegetables or add protein like grilled chicken or chickpeas.