Are you tired of boring, soggy picnic dishes that nobody wants to eat? Get ready to become the star of your next outdoor gathering with this mouthwatering Italian-style pasta salad that's bursting with fresh flavors and takes just 25 minutes to prepare! This vibrant, easy-to-make dish is not just a side – it's a crowd-pleasing sensation that will have your friends and family asking for seconds (and your secret recipe).
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 oz rotini pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
- 1/4 cup red onion, diced
- 1/2 cup Italian dressing
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water and add a pinch of salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Add the rotini pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions, typically 8-10 minutes, until the pasta is al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- While the pasta is cooking, prepare the vegetables. Wash and halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber into small cubes, slice the black olives, and finely dice the red onion.
- Once the pasta is cooked, drain in a colander and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta quickly.
- Transfer the cooled pasta to a large mixing bowl. Add the prepared cherry tomatoes, cucumber, black olives, and red onion.
- Pour the Italian dressing over the pasta and vegetables. Gently toss all ingredients to ensure even coating.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, mixing thoroughly.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld together before serving.
- Before packing for a picnic, give the salad a final gentle stir and transfer to a portable container with a tight-fitting lid.
Tips
- Always rinse your pasta with cold water after cooking to stop the cooking process and prevent clumping.
- For maximum flavor, let the salad chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the ingredients to marinate.
- Choose firm vegetables like cucumber and cherry tomatoes that won't get mushy during transport.
- Use a tight-sealing container when packing for a picnic to prevent spills and keep the salad fresh.
- If you're making this ahead of time, add the dressing just before serving to keep the pasta from getting too soggy.
- Feel free to customize with additional ingredients like feta cheese or grilled chicken for extra protein.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 8g
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 5mg
