Classic Pasta Salad Recipe
Introduction
Classic pasta salad is a refreshing and versatile dish perfect for gatherings or a quick lunch. Combining tender pasta with fresh tomatoes, briny olives, and zesty Italian dressing creates a flavorful, easy-to-make salad that everyone will enjoy.
Ingredients
- 2 cups pasta (such as rotini or penne), cooked and cooled
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup olives, sliced
- 1/3 cup Italian dressing
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, and sliced olives.
- Step 2: Pour the Italian dressing over the ingredients and toss everything together until evenly coated.
- Step 3: Cover the bowl and chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving.
Tips & Variations
- Add chopped fresh herbs like basil or parsley for extra brightness and aroma.
- Use a variety of olives, such as Kalamata or green olives, to enhance flavor complexity.
- Include diced cucumbers or bell peppers for more crunch and color.
- For a creamy twist, mix in a spoonful of mayonnaise or Greek yogurt along with the dressing.
Storage
Store the pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Before serving leftovers, give it a good stir and add a splash of Italian dressing if it seems dry.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make this pasta salad ahead of time?
Yes, it actually tastes better after resting in the fridge for a few hours as the flavors meld nicely.
What type of pasta works best for pasta salad?
Short, sturdy pasta like rotini, penne, or farfalle hold up well and capture the dressing and ingredients effectively.
PrintClassic Pasta Salad Recipe
Classic Pasta Salad is a refreshing, easy-to-make dish featuring cooked pasta mixed with juicy tomatoes, briny olives, and a zesty Italian dressing. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or as a light meal, this salad is chilled to meld flavors and serve cool.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Pasta Ingredients
- 2 cups dry pasta (such as rotini or penne)
Vegetables
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
Dressing
- 1/2 cup Italian dressing
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool and prevent sticking.
- Prepare the Vegetables: While the pasta cooks, halve the cherry tomatoes and slice the black olives so they are ready to add.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, toss the cooled pasta, tomatoes, and olives together with the Italian dressing, ensuring everything is well coated.
- Chill the Salad: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 1 hour before serving to allow flavors to meld and the salad to chill properly.
- Serve: After chilling, give the salad a final toss and serve chilled as a refreshing side or light meal.
Notes
- You can use your favorite type of pasta; corkscrew shapes like rotini work well to hold the dressing.
- For added crunch, consider adding chopped celery or bell peppers.
- Make sure to rinse the pasta with cold water after cooking to stop the cooking process and cool it down.
- This salad can be made a day ahead to enhance the flavors.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Keywords: Classic pasta salad, Italian dressing pasta salad, easy pasta salad, picnic salad
