Description
Hearty Mediterranean Pasta Salad brings zesty flavors from Italy’s sun-drenched coastlines into one delightful dish. Quick and easy preparation ensures a perfect summer meal that satisfies with fresh ingredients and bold Mediterranean spirit.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 package tri-color rotini noodles (454 grams / 16 ounces)
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes (473 milliliters / 16 ounces)
- 1 cucumber
- Cheese cubes (your choice of variety)
Seasoning and Dressing:
- Zesty Italian dressing
- Dash of paprika
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil and cook tri-color rotini pasta until al dente, approximately 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Drain pasta in a colander and rinse with cold water to halt cooking process, then transfer to a spacious mixing bowl to cool completely.
- Meticulously dice cherry tomatoes and cucumber into uniform, bite-sized cubes to ensure consistent texture throughout the salad.
- Gently fold the chopped vegetables and cheese cubes into the cooled pasta, creating an even distribution of ingredients.
- Pour zesty Italian dressing over the pasta mixture, using tongs or a large spoon to coat every ingredient thoroughly, ensuring each component is well-seasoned.
- Lightly dust the surface with a sprinkle of paprika, adding a subtle warmth and vibrant color to the dish.
- Refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and develop, then serve chilled as a refreshing side dish or light meal.
Notes
- Choose tri-color rotini for a vibrant and visually appealing pasta salad that adds excitement to your meal.
- Rinse noodles with cold water after cooking to stop the cooking process and prevent them from becoming mushy, ensuring a perfect al dente texture.
- Cut vegetables into uniform bite-sized pieces to guarantee even distribution and make each forkful deliciously balanced.
- Customize the salad by adding protein like grilled chicken, chickpeas, or tofu for a more substantial and nutritious dish that suits different dietary preferences.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg