Spring Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing
Spring Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing is a vibrant and refreshing dish perfect for sunny days. This salad features al dente pasta tossed with crisp vegetables and a zesty Italian dressing, creating a delightful medley of flavors that will brighten any picnic or barbecue. Easy to prepare, it’s not just a meal; it’s an experience that brings family and friends together, making every bite a celebration of spring!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz rotini or penne pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- ½ cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup bell peppers (mixed colors), diced
- ½ cup Italian dressing (homemade or store-bought)
- ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare your ingredients by gathering them on the kitchen counter.
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- While the pasta cooks, chop the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, and red onion into bite-sized pieces.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta and chopped vegetables. Toss gently to mix.
- Drizzle the Italian dressing over the salad and toss until everything is well coated.
- Serve in a bowl or on plates, topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approximately 200g)
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
Keywords: Feel free to customize by adding proteins like grilled chicken or chickpeas. Experiment with seasonal vegetables for enhanced freshness.