This Perfect Pasta Salad is light, flavorful, and packed with fresh vegetables, making it a perfect dish for gatherings or as a quick and satisfying meal option. Adjust the ingredients and seasoning to suit your preferences and enjoy! Concerned about carbs or want more protein, this salad is the perfect time to try one of the new, organic, high protein pastas available at your local grocery.
Perfect Pasta Salad
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4-6
Ingredients
8 ounces pasta (such as fusilli, rotini, or penne)
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cucumber, diced
1/2 red bell pepper, diced
1/2 yellow bell pepper, diced
1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
1/2 cup black olives, sliced (optional)
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves, chopped
For the Dressing
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon honey or sugar
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
While the pasta is cooking, halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, red bell pepper, and yellow bell pepper. Thinly slice the red onion. If using, slice the black olives. Chop the fresh basil and parsley leaves.
Next make the dressing. In a small bowl or a jar with a lid, combine the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, and honey or sugar. Whisk or shake well until the dressing is well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, red onion, black olives (if using), basil, and parsley.
Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients. Toss well to ensure everything is evenly coated with the dressing.
Chill the pasta salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Serve your Perfect Pasta Salad cold or at room temperature. Enjoy!
Nutritional Information (per serving, based on 6 servings):
Calories: 315 kcal; Total Fat: 17g; Saturated Fat: 2g; Trans Fat: 0g; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium: 140mg; Total Carbohydrate: 35g; Dietary Fiber: 3g; Sugars: 4g; Protein: 5g
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