Description
A refreshing and easy-to-make Summer Pasta Salad featuring rotini pasta combined with fresh vegetables, herbs, and tangy feta cheese, all tossed in a zesty Italian dressing. Perfect for warm weather lunches or potlucks, this vibrant salad is ready in just 15 minutes and serves 6.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta & Vegetables
- 1 lb dried rotini pasta, cooked
- 2 cups arugula
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 1 red onion, diced
- 1 cucumber, seeded and diced
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 (12 oz) jar artichoke hearts in water, drained and diced
Herbs & Cheese
- 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- â…“ cup basil, finely chopped
- â…“ cup parsley, finely chopped
Dressing
- 1 ¼ cups Italian dressing
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and quickly cool the pasta.
- Chop the Vegetables and Herbs: While the pasta cooks, dice the bell pepper, red onion, and seeded cucumber, halve the cherry tomatoes, and drain and chop the artichoke hearts. Finely chop the basil and parsley as well.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta, arugula, diced vegetables, artichoke hearts, chopped herbs, and crumbled feta cheese.
- Add Dressing and Toss: Pour the Italian dressing over the salad ingredients. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss everything gently until well combined to ensure even flavor distribution.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. This chilling period allows the flavors to meld together beautifully and the salad to be served nice and cold.
Notes
- Make sure to rinse the pasta under cold water after cooking to prevent it from overcooking and to cool it quickly.
- You can substitute Italian dressing with your favorite vinaigrette or make your own for a fresher taste.
- This salad can be prepared a day in advance to deepen the flavors, just add the arugula right before serving to keep it crisp.
- Feel free to add olives or roasted red peppers for additional flavor variations.
