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Cold Pasta Salad

A vibrant and refreshing dish perfect for warm days, customizable and versatile, served as a side or main dish.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Mediterranean
Calories: 250
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Vegetables
  • 8 oz pasta (fusilli, rotini, or penne) Cooked according to package instructions.
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup cucumber, diced
  • 1/2 cup red onion, diced
  • 1/2 cup bell pepper, diced
  • 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
Dressing
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water until completely cooled.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, bell pepper, black olives, and basil.
Dressing
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, and pepper until well combined.
  2. Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss to combine, ensuring all ingredients are coated evenly.
Chilling
  1. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to develop.

Notes

Serve this salad with grilled meats or as part of a vegetarian platter. Refresh leftovers with a bit more olive oil or vinegar.