Pasta Salad With Italian Dressing

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Craving a light and zesty meal? Try this pasta salad with Italian dressing! This refreshing dish combines al dente pasta with crisp veggies and a tangy herb-infused dressing.

You’ll love how easy it is to make this crowd-pleasing salad. Just toss cooked pasta with your favorite raw vegetables and a simple homemade Italian dressing. It’s perfect for picnics, potlucks, or quick weeknight dinners.

Get ready to enjoy a burst of Mediterranean flavors in every bite. This pasta salad is sure to become your new go-to recipe for warm summer days or any time you want a tasty, no-fuss meal.

Tool Requirements

You’ll need a few basic kitchen tools to whip up this tasty Italian dressing pasta salad. Grab a large pot for boiling the pasta. A colander comes in handy for draining it once cooked.

For prepping veggies, you’ll want a sharp knife and cutting board. A large mixing bowl is essential for tossing all the ingredients together.

To make the dressing, use a small bowl or jar. A whisk or fork works well for mixing it up. If you prefer, shake the dressing in a sealed jar instead.

Don’t forget measuring cups and spoons for portioning ingredients. A large spoon or tongs help serve the finished salad.

Lastly, pick out a pretty serving bowl to show off your creation. Or, pack it in a portable container if you’re taking it to a picnic or potluck.

Preparing The Ingredients

You’ll need a few key items to make this tasty pasta salad. Start with your favorite pasta shape – rotini or bowties work great. Cook it according to the package directions, then rinse with cold water and drain well.

For the veggies, chop up some crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and red onions. Slice some black olives too. These add nice color and crunch to the salad.

The dressing is simple to throw together. Mix olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, and dried Italian herbs in a jar. Shake it up well to combine all the flavors.

Don’t forget to grab some fresh herbs like basil or parsley. Chop them up just before adding to keep them bright and fragrant. A sprinkle of vegan Parmesan cheese is tasty too if you have some on hand.

Make sure everything is nice and cold before mixing. This helps the flavors meld together better. Your pasta salad will taste even better after chilling in the fridge for a bit.

Serving Suggestions

This salad is super versatile. You can serve it chilled or at room temperature depending on your preference.

It makes a great side dish for summer barbecues and picnics. Pack it up in containers for an easy make-ahead lunch too.

Try topping the pasta salad with some extra veggies like sliced cherry tomatoes or diced cucumbers for added freshness. A sprinkle of vegan parmesan or nutritional yeast adds nice flavor.

For a heartier meal, toss in some chickpeas or white beans. You can also serve it over a bed of mixed greens to make it more of a main dish salad.

This keeps well in the fridge for 3-4 days. Give it a quick stir before serving to redistribute the dressing. You may want to add an extra drizzle of dressing if it seems dry after chilling.

Storage Tips

Keep your pasta salad fresh by storing it properly.

• Pop it in an airtight container and stick it in the fridge right after making it. This salad stays good for 3-4 days when chilled.
• Give the container a gentle shake before serving to redistribute the dressing. If it seems a bit dry, you can add a splash more dressing to liven it up.
• For picnics or potlucks, pack the salad in a cooler with ice packs. Don’t let it sit out at room temp for more than 2 hours to avoid food safety issues.
• Freezing isn’t ideal for this dish. The veggies and pasta can get mushy when thawed. It’s best to enjoy your salad fresh within a few days of making it.
• If you’re meal prepping, consider keeping the dressing separate until you’re ready to eat. This helps keep everything crisp and prevents fogginess.

Pasta Salad With Italian Dressing

This easy pasta salad with Italian dressing is exactly what you're looking for! It's filled with a bunch of veggies and you can add your favorite type of pasta. Serve it as a vegan pasta salad recipe that's simple to make and is perfectly suitable for lunch or dinner.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Course Main Course, Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine Italian

Servings 2 servings

Calories 400 kcal

Ingredients

  

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• 2 cups of your favorite pasta shape rotini or bowties
• 1 cucumber chopped
• 1 cup of tomatoes chopped
• 1/2 red onion chopped
• 1/4 cup of black olives sliced
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 tablespoon of vinegar
• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
• 1 clove of garlic minced
• 1 teaspoon of dried Italian herbs
• 2 tablespoons of fresh basil or parsley chopped
• 2 tablespoons of vegan Parmesan cheese optional

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Instructions

 

• Cook the pasta according to the package directions.
• Rinse the pasta with cold water and drain well.
• Chop the cucumber, tomatoes, and red onion.
• Slice the black olives.
• Mix olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, and dried Italian herbs in a jar.
• Shake the jar well to combine all the flavors.
• Chop fresh basil or parsley just before adding.
• Ensure all ingredients are nice and cold before mixing.
• Toss all the ingredients with the dressing.
• Sprinkle with vegan Parmesan cheese if using.
• Chill the pasta salad in the fridge for a bit before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 400kcal

Keyword Vegan

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Stefan K.

Stefan has been vegan since 2019 and has been regularly working on his strength since the beginning of 2023. He’s on a mission to help other vegans get stronger and have all of them achieve the quality of life they deserve.