Zesty Italian Pasta Salad (Print)

Vibrant pasta, fresh vegetables, and zesty dressing make a crowd-pleasing chilled summer salad.

# Ingredients:

→ Salad Base

01 - 225 g rotini pasta
02 - 160 g cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 130 g cucumber, chopped
04 - 75 g red onion, finely diced
05 - 150 g mixed bell peppers, chopped
06 - 70 g black or green olives, sliced
07 - 110 g feta cheese, crumbled

→ Dressing

08 - 60 ml extra virgin olive oil
09 - 30 ml balsamic vinegar
10 - 1 g dried oregano
11 - Salt, to taste
12 - Black pepper, to taste

# Steps:

01 - Boil rotini in a large pot of generously salted water until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to halt cooking and cool completely.
02 - Chop cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and bell peppers into equal, bite-sized pieces for even distribution.
03 - In a small bowl or jar, vigorously whisk olive oil, balsamic vinegar, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper until fully emulsified.
04 - In a large mixing bowl, add cooled pasta, chopped vegetables, and sliced olives. Pour over the dressing and gently toss to achieve even coating.
05 - Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese evenly atop the salad. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour to allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled.

# Additional Notes:

01 - For optimal flavor, allow the salad to rest refrigerated for a minimum of one hour before serving.