Rainbow Pasta Salad with Zesty Vinaigrette
In short: Colorful pasta salad with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, peppers and olives in a tangy garlic vinaigrette. Easy to make ahead for a crowd. It takes about 32 min in total and makes 8 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 12 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 32 min
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 340 kcal
Pasta salad is party food that never goes out of fashion, and for good reason: it can be made the day before, travels well and feeds a crowd cheaply. This one is packed with colorful raw vegetables for crunch, plus black olives and a sharp, garlicky red wine vinaigrette instead of a creamy dressing, so it keeps better outdoors. Use any short shape that catches dressing, such as rotini, fusilli or farfalle.
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of well-salted boiling water for 1 minute less than the packet suggests, so it is just tender. Drain, rinse under cold water until cool and shake dry.
- Whisk the olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, mustard, garlic, oregano, sugar, salt and pepper in a large bowl until the dressing thickens.
- Add the pasta to the dressing and toss until every piece is coated.
- Fold in the tomatoes, cucumber, peppers, red onion, olives and parsley.
- Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes so the flavors blend.
- Toss again before serving and taste for salt. Add a little more vinegar or oil if the pasta has absorbed the dressing.
Tips
- Pasta soaks up dressing as it sits. Keep a few tablespoons of vinaigrette back to add just before serving so the salad looks glossy.
- Chickpeas, white beans or edamame add protein. Broccoli florets or sweet corn make good swaps for the cucumber.
Questions and answers
How far ahead can I make pasta salad?
It keeps for 3 days in the fridge. For the best texture, make it the day before and freshen it with a splash of vinegar and oil before serving.
Why is my pasta salad dry?
The pasta has absorbed the dressing. Toss in a spoonful of oil, vinegar or water and a pinch of salt to loosen it.
Which pasta shape is best for pasta salad?
Short shapes with ridges or twists, such as rotini, fusilli, farfalle or penne, hold dressing best.
How long does it take to make Rainbow Pasta Salad with Zesty Vinaigrette?
About 32 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 12 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Rainbow Pasta Salad with Zesty Vinaigrette?
About 340 kcal per serving, with 7 g of protein, 43 g of carbohydrates and 16 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 340 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 7 g |
| Carbohydrates | 43 g |
| Fat | 16 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 490 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
