Spiral Pasta Salad
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!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 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
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.
Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Allow it to cool completely.
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.
Add the cooled pasta to the bowl with the vegetables and toss gently to combine.
Drizzle the Italian dressing over the pasta and vegetables, then sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Toss everything together until evenly coated.
Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more salt, pepper, or dressing if needed.
Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let the flavors meld.
Serve chilled as a side dish or light main course. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2348 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 148.0 g | 190% | |
| Saturated Fat | 63.2 g | 316% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 18.9 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 256 mg | 85% | |
| Sodium | 5266 mg | 229% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 179.1 g | 65% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 20.3 g | 72% | |
| Total Sugars | 41.9 g | ||
| Protein | 86.1 g | 172% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.3 mcg | 6% | |
| Calcium | 1862 mg | 143% | |
| Iron | 9.7 mg | 54% | |
| Potassium | 1806 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.
