Description
Memorial Day Classic Pasta Salad is a vibrant and refreshing dish, featuring colorful vegetables and perfectly cooked pasta, making it the ideal side for summer gatherings and cookouts.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz rotini pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 medium cucumber, diced
- 1 cup bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange), diced
- 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup fresh basil or parsley, chopped
Instructions
- 1. Cook the pasta: Boil salted water in a large pot. Add the rotini and cook according to package instructions until al dente (8-10 minutes). Drain and rinse under cold water.
- 2. Prepare the vegetables: While the pasta cools, chop the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, and thinly slice the red onion.
- 3. Mix the dressing: In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard (if using), salt, and pepper until well combined.
- 4. Combine: In a large mixing bowl, mix the cooled pasta with prepared vegetables. Pour the dressing over and toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
- 5. Finish with herbs: Add chopped basil or parsley and give it one last toss before serving.
Notes
- Chill your pasta salad for at least an hour before serving for enhanced flavor.
- Feel free to customize with seasonal ingredients or swap veggies based on personal preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (200g)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 0mg