Imagine a dish that combines the perfect blend of fresh vegetables, tangy feta, and a zesty balsamic dressing - all tossed with perfectly cooked pasta. This isn't just another boring salad; this is a culinary adventure that will transform your summer meals from ordinary to extraordinary! Whether you're hosting a backyard barbecue, planning a picnic, or simply craving a delicious and quick meal, this Epic Pasta Salad is about to become your new obsession.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- Pasta (fusilli or penne)
- Cherry tomatoes, halved
- Cucumber, diced
- Bell pepper, chopped
- Red onion, diced
- Olive oil
- Balsamic vinegar
- Feta cheese, crumbled
- Fresh basil, chopped
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Begin by gathering all the ingredients: fusilli or penne pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, feta cheese, fresh basil, salt, and pepper.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once boiling, add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes.
- While the pasta is cooking, prepare the vegetables. Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, chop the bell pepper, and dice the red onion. Place all the chopped vegetables into a large mixing bowl.
- Once the pasta is cooked, drain it in a colander and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process. This will also help cool the pasta for the salad.
- Add the cooled pasta to the bowl with the chopped vegetables. Toss gently to combine.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Toss everything together until the pasta and vegetables are well coated with the dressing.
- Next, crumble the feta cheese over the top of the salad and add the chopped fresh basil. Gently fold these ingredients into the salad without breaking the feta too much.
- Taste the salad and adjust seasoning if necessary, adding more salt, pepper, or dressing as desired.
- Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together before serving.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature. Enjoy your epic pasta salad!
Tips
- Cook pasta al dente: The key to a great pasta salad is pasta that's cooked just right - tender but still firm.
- Cool pasta completely: Rinsing with cold water stops the cooking process and prevents the pasta from becoming mushy.
- Let it marinate: Refrigerating the salad for at least 10 minutes allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
- Use fresh herbs: Fresh basil makes a huge difference in flavor compared to dried herbs.
- Don't overdress: Start with less dressing and add more as needed to prevent a soggy salad.
- Customize your veggies: Feel free to swap or add vegetables based on what's in season or your personal preference.
- Make ahead: This salad tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 12g
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 20mg
