Delicious Homemade Pasta Salad Recipe

Looking for a simple yet tasty pasta salad recipe? Our homemade pasta salad is perfect for picnics, potlucks, and lunchboxes alike! This refreshing dish can be prepared in about 30 minutes and serves around four people. With its vibrant colors and delightful flavors, this pasta salad will definitely become a favorite in your meal rotation.

Pasta salads are versatile, making them suitable for various occasions. They’re light enough to enjoy during hot summer days but hearty enough to complement heavier meals. The key ingredients of this recipe include pasta, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, and olives. These ingredients can be easily found in most grocery stores.

Begin by preparing the pasta according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain it thoroughly and let it cool down slightly before proceeding with the rest of the ingredients. While the pasta is cooling, prepare all your fresh vegetables. Rinse cherry tomatoes under cold water and slice them into halves or quarters. Slice bell peppers into strips of about 1/4 inch thickness. Dice cucumbers into bite-sized pieces, ensuring to remove the seeds for a crunchier texture.

For the dressing, mix together olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dried oregano in a small bowl until well combined. Adjust seasoning based on your preference – some may prefer a stronger lemon tang while others might like more salt or oregano.

To assemble the pasta salad, start by adding the cooled pasta to a large mixing bowl. Pour over the prepared dressing and gently toss everything together. Next, add in the cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, and olives. Toss again until all components are evenly coated with the dressing.

Optional additions such as chopped parsley or feta cheese can enhance this dish’s flavor and presentation. If you wish to include these ingredients, simply incorporate them at the end of mixing. Keep in mind that adding fresh herbs right away might cause them to wilt prematurely if left too long before serving.

Once all elements are mixed into the pasta salad, cover and refrigerate for at least one hour to allow flavors to meld together fully. Serve chilled or at room temperature; both options suit this recipe well depending on your preference.

Pasta salads make excellent side dishes for main courses like grilled chicken, barbecued ribs, or roasted vegetables. They also serve as standalone meals when paired with breadsticks or crusty rolls. This pasta salad can be customized further by adding additional ingredients based on personal taste preferences such as bacon bits, cheese cubes, or sunflower seeds.

Health-wise, this recipe offers a good balance of carbohydrates from the pasta and fiber-rich vegetables which promote digestive health. It contains healthy fats like those found in olive oil that are beneficial for heart function when consumed moderately.

Cooking Time

• Preparation time: 15 minutes
• Cooking time (pasta): approximately 10-12 minutes
• Total preparation & assembly time: about 30 minutes

Serving Size

This pasta salad makes approximately four servings. Each portion consists of one cupful of the mixed ingredients.