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Quick and Easy Pasta Salad

Featured in Fresh and Delicious Salad Recipes for Every Season.

Boil pasta just until done, and rinse it with cold water. Toss in fresh-cut veggies, cheese chunks, and your favorite dressing. Stir it all up, and sprinkle with herbs. Let it sit for the best flavor! It’s great for any summer event or a packed lunch, and it keeps well in the fridge for a few days.

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Updated on Tue, 18 Mar 2025 05:33:40 GMT
A bright bowl of rotini pasta mixed with cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, mozzarella balls, diced peppers, and fresh herbs. Pin it
A bright bowl of rotini pasta mixed with cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, mozzarella balls, diced peppers, and fresh herbs. | chefmelt.com

Need a fast pasta dish that fits every event? You can whip up a vibrant Italian pasta salad bursting with fresh veggies, olives, and mozzarella in just 20 minutes. This no-fuss pasta combo brings basic ingredients together with a tangy homemade sauce.

Ideal for Every Gathering

Look through different pasta salad options and you'll spot tons of choices. This take stands out because it uses fresh stuff and comes together quickly. If you're off to a community dinner or just feeding your family, the taste actually gets better the longer it sits.

Your Ingredient List

  • Pasta: Grab something short
  • Zucchini: Gives you nice snap
  • Cherry Tomatoes: Tiny flavor bombs
  • Bell Peppers: Pick any colors
  • Green Onions: Subtle kick
  • Peppers: Adds some heat
  • Olives: Try different kinds
  • Mozzarella: Tiny fresh pearls
  • Parmesan: Grate it yourself
  • Fresh Herbs: Try basil or parsley
  • Olive Oil: Worth buying good stuff
  • Vinegar: Red wine type rocks
  • Seasonings: Don't forget salt, pepper, oregano

Easy Instructions

Cook Your Pasta:
Get your pasta going in salty water until just right. Watch it closely - mushy pasta ruins your salad.
Create Your Sauce:
As pasta bubbles, stir vinegar, spices, and oil together in your biggest bowl. This mix makes your Italian pasta salad pop.
Drain and Mix:
Run cold water over your pasta, then toss it with sauce while it's still a bit warm. It'll soak up more flavor this way.
Toss Everything In:
Drop in all your veggies, cheese bits, and herbs. Each thing you add brings more color and taste to your easy bowl.
Give It Time:
Wrap it up and stick it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This lets all the flavors get friendly with each other.
Stays Good:
Lasts several days in the fridge. Great for planning meals ahead.

Tastier Tomorrow

Unlike most foods, this mix tastes even better after sitting overnight. The pasta drinks up all the yummy dressing, so your next-day lunch beats what you had for dinner.

Pick Your Pasta Type

Go for shapes that grab onto sauce - spirals, shells, or bow ties do the trick. These fun shapes make every mouthful of your Italian mix more exciting.

Awesome Dressing

The right sauce turns basic ingredients into something amazing. Blend red wine vinegar with herbs and good olive oil for that real Mediterranean flavor kick.

Switch Your Veggies

Just use what's fresh right now. Bright veggies make your bowl look fantastic and taste great too. Each different veggie brings its own feel and flavor to your salad.

A vibrant bowl of rotini pasta salad mixed with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, cucumbers, olives, bell peppers, and fresh basil. Pin it
A vibrant bowl of rotini pasta salad mixed with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, cucumbers, olives, bell peppers, and fresh basil. | chefmelt.com

Ways To Serve

Goes great with barbecue or works alone as lunch. Take it to outdoor picnics or set it out at your backyard hangouts. This flexible dish works for any casual meetup.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I prep in advance?

Making it ahead is fine! Do it the day before for the best flavor mix. Keep some dressing aside for freshness. Add herbs right when serving. Stores well in the fridge.

→ How do I add protein?

Throw in cooked chicken, canned tuna, or even some beans. Choose whatever suits your taste. Just mix it in thoroughly.

→ What else can I add for veggies?

Try any fresh, crunchy options. Chop them small and even. Bright colors look great. Mixing textures keeps it interesting.

→ How to store leftovers?

Seal it in a container and refrigerate. It stays nice for about five days. Stir before eating and freshen up with more dressing if needed.

→ Is it gluten-free possible?

Use gluten-free pasta varieties. Cook them properly and rinse them well after boiling. It'll still taste fresh. Just be careful with cooking time.

→ What if it feels dry?

Keep extra dressing aside and add more when needed. Don’t over-drain the pasta and toss the salad just before serving to keep it juicy.

→ How do I pack it for a trip?

Chill it with an ice pack. Have dressing and toppings separate so they stay fresh. Bring a big serving spoon. Takes effort, but worth it!

→ Any shortcuts for speed?

Grab pre-chopped veggies from the store. Keep all ingredients ready to go. Use one mixing bowl. Quick and still tastes great!

→ Can I double the recipe?

Easy to scale up! Use a larger bowl and adjust the pasta-to-ingredient ratio. Keep it chilled and mix in sections for even seasoning.

→ How can I boost the taste?

Use more herbs. Mix in some spices. A touch of garlic or fresh lemon works too. Don't overdo it, though.

→ What if pasta texture isn’t right?

Cook it less. Rinse with cold water straight away. Adding salt to the boiling water helps, and stir while cooking. Keep pasta lightly firm.

→ What if veggies seem tough?

Dice them finer. Let the salad sit awhile for the dressing to soften them. Try softer vegetable types. Crunch is good but balance is better.

Conclusion

Enjoy this? Make a cucumber tomato salad next. Or try crunchy veggie bread bites. Both are winners for fast meals.

Quick and Easy Pasta Salad

Quick pasta and fresh veggies blend.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
10 Minutes
Total Time
20 Minutes

Category: Salads

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: Italian

Yield: 10 Servings

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 500 grams of dried pasta, such as penne, fusilli, rotelle, or farfalle.
02 150 grams of halved cherry tomatoes.
03 1 medium-sized red, yellow, or green bell pepper, thinly sliced.
04 1/2 medium zucchini, cut into skinny slices (about 1 cup).
05 A handful of parsley or fresh basil, roughly chopped (optional).
06 50 grams of grated hard cheese, like Parmesan.
07 75 grams (about 1/3 cup) of mixed olives, sliced and pitted.
08 6 to 7 scallions (green onions), sliced finely (about 1/3 cup).
09 150 grams of mozzarella balls (chopped if needed).
10 Optional: 1/4 cup of sliced banana peppers or pepperoncini.
11 3 tablespoons of vinegar: red wine, champagne, or white wine type.
12 A pinch of sea salt, with more added if required.
13 A pinch of freshly ground black pepper for seasoning.
14 Half a teaspoon of oregano (dried).
15 Optional: A couple of spoonfuls of juice from a jar of pepperoncini.
16 120 ml (half a cup) of extra virgin olive oil.

Instructions

Step 01

Heat up a big pot of salted water until boiling. Toss in the dry pasta and let it cook until it’s just right—this should take about 6 to 10 minutes, depending on what the pasta package suggests.

Step 02

While waiting for the pasta, whip up the dressing inside a big bowl. Mix together the vinegar, olive oil, oregano, salt, pepper, and the optional pepperoncini juice until it’s smooth.

Step 03

Once the pasta is ready, drain it and run a little cold water over it to cool it down. Add this pasta to your prepared dressing and stir it all around so the dressing coats everything evenly.

Step 04

Add the bell pepper, zucchini slices, cherry tomatoes, scallions, olives, mozzarella, and grated cheese to the pasta, then stir well. You can toss in the optional herbs or peppers as well.

Step 05

Give the salad a taste test. Adjust with extra salt or pepper if needed. For even better flavor, chill it in the fridge for at least half an hour before serving.

Step 06

This dish can be kept in the fridge for 3 to 5 days. The flavors get better the longer it sits!

Notes

  1. Flavor develops wonderfully if this salad is made in advance.
  2. Hold back a bit of the dressing separately and mix it in fresh right before serving for an extra kick.
  3. Feel free to be creative—swap in your favorite veggies, cheeses, or whatever is fresh.

Tools You'll Need

  • A big cooking pot.
  • A roomy mixing bowl.
  • A whisk for mixing.
  • A sharp knife.
  • A chopping board.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains gluten.
  • Includes dairy ingredients.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 363
  • Total Fat: 19.1 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 36.6 g
  • Protein: 11.7 g