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A close-up view of the simple pasta salad, showing the texture of the al dente rotini pasta coated in a light Italian dressing with bits of fresh herbs.

Easy Pasta Salad Recipe (That's Actually Delicious!)

This Easy Pasta Salad Recipe is a vibrant, flavor-packed dish perfect for any occasion. Made with fresh vegetables and a zesty homemade Italian dressing, this simple, crowd-pleasing cold pasta salad is ready in just 25 minutes.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Lunch, Main Course, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 1 lb rotini pasta or other short pasta like fusilli or penne
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 English cucumber diced
  • 1/2 red onion finely chopped
For the Dressing
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper freshly ground

Equipment

  • 1 Large Pot
  • 1 Large salad bowl
  • 1 Small bowl or jar For mixing the dressing

Instructions
 

  1. Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions for al dente.
  2. While the pasta cooks, chop the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion. Place them in a large salad bowl.
  3. In a small bowl or a glass jar with a lid, combine the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, oregano, salt, and pepper. Whisk or shake vigorously until the dressing is well combined.
  4. Drain the pasta and give it a quick rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Shake off excess water and add the pasta to the bowl with the vegetables. Pour the dressing over the top and toss gently to combine everything.
  5. Serve immediately, or for best flavor, cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Notes

Make Ahead: This salad can be made up to 24 hours in advance. Keep it covered in the refrigerator. You may want to add a splash of olive oil to remoisten it before serving.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
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