Spiral Pasta Salad

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Bright, colorful, and bursting with fresh flavors, this Spiral Pasta Salad is the ultimate crowd-pleaser for potlucks, picnics, and weeknight dinners! Featuring perfectly al dente rotini pasta tossed with juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, sweet red bell pepper, tangy red onion, and savory black olives, this salad strikes a perfect balance between textures and tastes. Creamy cubes of cheddar cheese add a rich bite, while a zesty Italian dressing ties everything together with a burst of tangy herbaceousness. Finished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley, this easy-to-make side dish comes together in just 25 minutes and can be prepared ahead of time for a hassle-free, chilled delight. Whether served as a refreshing summer dish or a vibrant complement to heavier mains, this pasta salad is as versatile as it is delicious!

Recipe Information

• Prep Time: 15 min
• Cook Time: 10 min
• Total Time: 25 min
• Servings: 6 servings
• Difficulty: Medium

🥘 Ingredients

11 items

• 12 oz spiral pasta (rotini)
• 1.5 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 medium cucumber, diced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 0.5 cup red onion, thinly sliced
• 0.75 cup black olives, sliced
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, cubed
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 0.75 cup Italian dressing
• 0.25 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

📝 Instructions

8 steps

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spiral pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes.

2. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Allow it to cool completely.

3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, diced red bell pepper, sliced red onion, sliced black olives, cubed cheddar cheese, and chopped parsley.

4. Add the cooled pasta to the bowl with the vegetables and toss gently to combine.

5. Drizzle the Italian dressing over the pasta and vegetables, then sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Toss everything together until evenly coated.

6. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more salt, pepper, or dressing if needed.

7. Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let the flavors meld.

8. Serve chilled as a side dish or light main course. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

1 serving (256.2g)

Calories		378
% Daily Value*
Total Fat		22.8 g	29%
	Saturated Fat	10.0 g	50%
	Polyunsaturated Fat	3.1 g
Cholesterol		43 mg	14%
Sodium		779 mg	34%
Total Carbohydrate		30.2 g	11%
	Dietary Fiber	3.6 g	13%
	Total Sugars	8.2 g
Protein		14.9 g	30%
Vitamin D		0.4 mcg	2%
Calcium		327 mg	25%
Iron		1.8 mg	10%
Potassium		410 mg	9%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 1227 cal (53.2%%)

Protein: 355 cal (15.4%%)

Carbs: 723 cal (31.4%%)