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Close view of cooked rotini pasta tossed with glossy black olives and red onions.

Quick Healthy Pasta Salad Recipe

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Aliana Recipes
Crispy, tangy, and bursting with fresh vegetables, this vibrant dish combines tender rotini with a zesty homemade dressing. It’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser for summer BBQs or quick family lunches.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings:4 people
Course:Dinner, Side Dish
Cuisine:American, Italian, Italian-American
Calories:290kcal
Cost:$8
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz rotini pasta, uncooked (227g) Holds the dressing well
  • ¼ cup green bell pepper, diced (70g) Adds a nice crunch
  • ½ cup cherry tomatoes, sliced (95g) Sweet and juicy
  • ¼ cup parsley, chopped (8g) Freshness balance
  • ¼ cup black olives, sliced (37g) Salty savory bite
  • ¼ red onion, sliced (57g) Sharp flavor kick
  • 3 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (42g) Base of the vinaigrette
  • 2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (30g) Adds tangy depth
  • 2 teaspoon lemon juice (10g) Brightens the flavor
  • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard (5g) Emulsifies the dressing
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt (3g) To taste
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper (0.6g) For a little heat

Equipment

  • 1 Large pot For boiling pasta
  • 1 Mason jar For shaking dressing
  • 1 Chef’s knife For chopping veggies
  • 1 Colander For draining pasta

Method
 

  1. Boil the rotini pasta in salted water according to the package directions until tender. Check for al dente texture so it holds its shape when mixed.
  2. Chop the bell pepper, tomatoes, parsley, olives, and onion while the pasta cooks. Aim for uniform pieces so every bite has a mix of veggies.
  3. Combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, mustard, salt, and pepper in a small jar. Shake vigorously until the mixture looks emulsified and slightly thickened.
  4. Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process immediately. This ensures the noodles stay firm and cool for the salad.
  5. Toss the cooled pasta with the chopped vegetables and the prepared dressing in a large bowl. Stir until everything is evenly coated and glistening.

Nutrition

Serving: 250gCalories: 290kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 8gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 1.5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 7.5gSodium: 350mgPotassium: 220mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 300IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 1.5mg

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days; the flavors actually improve over time. If the pasta absorbs too much dressing, splash a little extra olive oil before serving.