Bright, fresh, and incredibly satisfying, this Delicious Veggie Italian Pasta Salad combines tender penne pasta with a medley of colorful, crunchy vegetables like cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, and red onion. Tossed with tangy black olives, creamy feta cheese, and a zesty homemade Italian dressing made with extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, and aromatic garlic, this dish is bursting with Mediterranean flavors in every bite. Finished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for an herby touch, this pasta salad is perfect for meal prep, potlucks, or a refreshing vegetarian main course. Ready in just 30 minutes and served chilled, itβs your new go-to for summer gatherings or weekday lunches!
Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water. Set aside to cool.
Halve the cherry tomatoes and thinly slice the cucumber, red bell pepper, and red onion.
Slice the black olives and crumble the feta cheese if not pre-crumbled.
In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, black olives, and feta cheese.
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper to make the Italian dressing.
Pour the dressing over the pasta and vegetables in the large bowl. Toss everything together until well coated.
Finely chop the fresh parsley and sprinkle it over the pasta salad as a garnish.
Refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to blend, then serve cold or at room temperature.
Calories |
2069 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 94.1 g | 121% | |
| Saturated Fat | 24.7 g | 123% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.2 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 100 mg | 33% | |
| Sodium | 4224 mg | 184% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 256.8 g | 93% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 19.1 g | 68% | |
| Total Sugars | 14.3 g | ||
| Protein | 59.0 g | 118% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.5 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 716 mg | 55% | |
| Iron | 18.5 mg | 103% | |
| Potassium | 1796 mg | 38% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.