Easy Pasta Salad π₯
Prep Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: Varies
Description:
This Easy Pasta Salad recipe is a delightful offering from lovewithrecipes.com. Perfect for weeknight dinners or gatherings, this salad is quick to prepare and bursting with flavor. With simple ingredients and a straightforward process, it’s a crowd-pleaser that will leave everyone asking for more!
Ingredients:
- 1/2 box rotini pasta
- 1 cucumber
- 1 onion
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 bottle of your favorite Italian dressing
Instructions:
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Cook Pasta: Begin by cooking the rotini pasta according to the package instructions. Ensure the pasta is cooked al dente for the perfect texture. |
| 2 | Rinse Pasta: Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and rinse it thoroughly with cold water. This helps to cool down the pasta quickly and stops the cooking process. |
| 3 | Prepare Veggies: While the pasta is cooking, prepare the veggies. Chop the cucumber, onion, and cherry tomatoes into bite-sized pieces. |
| 4 | Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta with the chopped veggies. |
| 5 | Add Dressing: Pour approximately half of the bottle of Italian dressing over the salad. Toss well to ensure that all the ingredients are evenly coated. |
| 6 | Marinate: Allow the salad to marinate in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight. During this time, the pasta will soak up the flavors of the dressing, enhancing the overall taste of the salad. |
| 7 | Adjust Dressing: Before serving, taste the salad and adjust the dressing as needed. The pasta may have absorbed some of the dressing, so adding a little more before serving can refresh the flavors. |
| 8 | Chill: Chill the pasta salad in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve. The chilling process helps to meld the flavors together and enhances the taste. |
| 9 | Customize: For larger gatherings, feel free to use a whole box of pasta and increase the quantities of cucumber, onion, and cherry tomatoes accordingly. Adjust the dressing to suit your taste preferences. |
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 7.7
- Fat Content: 0.1g
- Saturated Fat Content: 0g
- Cholesterol Content: 0mg
- Sodium Content: 1.4mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 1.8g
- Fiber Content: 0.3g
- Sugar Content: 0.9g
- Protein Content: 0.3g
Notes:
- This Easy Pasta Salad is incredibly versatile. Feel free to add your favorite ingredients such as olives, bell peppers, or cheese to customize it to your liking.
- Ensure that the pasta is completely cooled before adding the veggies to prevent them from wilting.
- Make this salad ahead of time for parties or picnics, as it tastes even better after marinating in the fridge.
- Don’t limit yourself to just weeknights; this salad is perfect for any occasion and can be enjoyed all year round!
