This easy pasta salad comes together in minutes. It is a delightful combination of pasta, fresh vegetables, and cheese. I serve it at the holidays, get-togethers, and barbecues as well as easy weeknight dinners.
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Ingredients
- Rotini pasta
- English cucumber
- Red onion
- Red bell pepper
- Black olives
- Grape or cherry tomatoes
- Fresh parsley or other fresh herbs
- Feta cheese
- Italian salad dressing
How to Make Pasta Salad
Cook rotini (pasta) until al dente per the package instructions.
Rinse the cooked pasta under cold water to remove extra starch. Drain.
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the vegetables and place them on a platter, plate, or bowl.
Add cooled pasta to a large mixing bowl.
Next, add prepared vegetables and sliced olives to the pasta. Stir.
Pour Italian dressing over the mixture, then toss to coat.
Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over the pasta mixture and gently fold it in.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Chill for 2 hours or overnight before serving.
Toss again before serving. Serve cold pasta salad with extra dressing on the side.
Serving Suggestions
Pasta salad goes great with pulled pork, juicy grilled burgers, and ham.
It is my go-to recipe for summer barbeques and potlucks.
Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 12 oz rotini pasta (uncooked)
- 1 English cucumber sliced and quartered
- ⅓ cup red onion chopped
- 1 bell pepper any color (chopped)
- 2¼ oz sliced black olives (can) drained
- 2 cups grape tomatoes halved
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
- ½ cup feta cheese crumbled
- 1 cup Italian salad dressing
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook rotini (pasta) until al dente per the package instructions.
- Rinse the cooked pasta under cold water to remove extra starch. Drain.
- While the pasta is cooking prepare vegetables and place on a platter or plate.
- Add cooled pasta to a large mixing bowl.
- Next, add prepared vegetables and sliced olives to the pasta. Stir.
- Pour Italian dressing over mixture, then toss to coat.
- Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over the pasta mixture and gently fold in.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Chill for 2 hours or over night before serving.
Notes
- The rotini pasta can be substituted for any medium-sized pasta.
- You can use homemade Italian dressing.
Nutrition
FQA
Can you substitute the cheese for another type?
Yes, mini fresh mozzarella balls, cut in half, and/or grated Parmesan cheese.
How long does pasta salad last in the refrigerator?
You can keep pasta salad in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
What pasta shapes can I use?
You can use homemade pasta or any medium-sized pasta shape for this recipe.
See you soon,
Kippi
Ps. This post will be shared on Between Naps on The Porch.
Edward Harris
Wednesday 25th of March 2026
I love how your pasta salad recipe combines simplicity with vibrant flavors! Adding fresh herbs really elevates the dish, fnf . Perfect for summer gatherings—thank you for sharing this delightful idea!
Kenneth Thompson
Thursday 19th of March 2026
Made this for the first time and it turned out delicious! I followed the recipe exactly and brought it to a family cookout—both teens and adults loved it and skeletal shenanigans. It took me a bit longer to prep, but it was absolutely worth it!
Justin
Wednesday 11th of March 2026
This pasta salad looks super fresh and tasty! Perfect for summer meals or gatherings. Using photo clear AI to make your food pics look even more delicious would be a fun way to share this recipe online!