salad

This easy pasta salad recipe is super fun to make for parties! Made a with super flavorful Italian dressing, herbs, seasonings and fresh vegetables.

Pasta salad is one of my favorite side dishes of all time and this easy Italian pasta salad tops the list! It’s a great side to pretty much any main dish but seems to work really well with BBQ food!

This Italian pasta salad recipe requires that you cook pasta until al dente then dip it into cold water immediately. After that you place it in a large bowl to chill in the freezer. The cooking process is critical for this really good pasta salad.

What ingredients are in this pasta salad?

Ingredients:

Pasta Salad

1/2 cup olive oil

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning

1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For the pasta salad:

1/4 medium red onion, finely chopped

8 ounces dried short pasta, such as rotini pasta (You can also use tri-color rotini)

8 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved

1 small English cucumber, quartered lengthwise, then thinly sliced 4 ounces fresh mozzarella drained and chopped

coarsely chopped fresh parsley leaves, optional 

For this recipe you will not need parmesan cheese, bell peppers, black olives or sour cream. With this classic pasta salad you will be using fresh herbs which is one of the best ways to create this perfect side dish.

I’ve eaten a lot of pasta salad in my day and my favorite thing about this great pasta salad is the creamy dressing. It’s a family favorite and I always whip up a batch of pasta salad whenever I can. It’s one of those easy recipes that you make again and again!

This homemade pasta salad is the type of pasta that your guests will rave about! Fresh ingredients and flavorful dressing give your taste buds such a treat! If you have left overs be sure to put it in an airtight container and store in the fridge. This is the best pasta salad to use for easy lunches the next day!

Enjoy! If you make it, be sure to tag me on Instagram when you share it!

Yield: 10 Servings

The Best Italian Pasta Salad Recipe

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Additional Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 12 minutes

A fantastic pasta salad recipe with fresh herbs, veggies and a yummy Italian Dressing.

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Ingredients

• Ingredients:
• Pasta Salad
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• For the pasta salad:
• 1/4 medium red onion, finely chopped
• 8 ounces dried short pasta, such as rotini
• 8 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 small English cucumber, quartered lengthwise, then thinly sliced 4 ounces fresh mozzarella drained and chopped
• coarsely chopped fresh parsley leaves, optional

Instructions

1. Mix up the dressing first and add the diced red onions to the dressing Cook the pasta for 12 min in boiling heavily salted water. 
2. After draining, dunk the strainer of pasta in an ice bath (equal parts ice and water in a large bowl) and get it cold fast! 
3. Mix and chill the salad for at least 30 minutes 

Notes

Pasta salad keeps well in the fridge for about five days, so it can easily be made in advance. 

Nutrition Information

Yield

10

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 247Total Fat 16gSaturated Fat 3gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 12gCholesterol 10mgSodium 195mgCarbohydrates 20gFiber 2gSugar 2gProtein 6g

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

If you liked this recipe be sure to check out these too!

The Best Jamaican Rasta Pasta Recipe – Add Your Favorite Protein!

Easy and Amazing BLT Pasta Salad

Perfectly Seasoned Potato Salad For Every Event

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Instant Pot Beef Tomato Pasta Soup

Are you looking for a light side dish for your next dinner party or cookout? This chickpea salad might be the perfect recipe for you! Full of juicy tomatoes, flavorful avocados, yummy cucumbers and more, this recipe will bring together all of the delicious flavors of summer and make you wish it would last forever. 

Not only is this chickpea salad delicious, it is also incredibly easy and quick to make! Did I mention that it is packed with protein and will leave you feeling satisfied for hours? That means that it’s not only a wonderful side dish, but it can also pass for a light meal in itself.

Chickpea Salad

If you have never had chickpea salad before, you may have some questions about it. Let’s try and answer those for you.

What are chickpeas?

If you are not yet familiar with them, chickpeas are part of the legume family and are peach in color. They are known to have a nutty flavor that many love. 

If you think that they look familiar, that’s for good reason. Many people don’t actually know that chickpea is just another name for garbanzo beans. Yes, they are the exact same thing. 

Are chickpeas healthy?

Chickpeas are a great addition to a healthy diet as they are packed with protein and fiber. This is what helps you to stay full and feel satisfied longer, which can prevent you from overeating. 

In addition to the protein and fiber, they are rich in B vitamins, iron, zinc and more.

Is Chickpea Salad a good make-ahead recipe?

Chickpea salad is a good make-ahead recipe because it keeps very well when stored properly in the refrigerator. The lemon juice keeps the avocados from browning and the flavor holds very well. The fact that it stores so well makes it a great option for meal prep for those who like to prepare their meals in advance. 

Now that you know all about how delicious, healthy and easy this chickpea salad is, what are you waiting for? This delicious recipe might just become your new favorite. 

Enjoy!

Yield: 4 servings

Healthy Chickpea Salad

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

This delicious and nutritious chickpea salad makes a great side dish or a light main meal. You’ll love the fresh veggies dressed in the lemony dressing.

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Ingredients

• one 15 oz can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed*
• 1 cup chopped cucumber (any type you like, I left the skin on but you can peel it)
• 1 cup of shredded carrot (it was 1 small carrot)
• ¾ cup red onion
• 2 cups chopped tomatoes
• ¾ cup of chopped parsley (measured loosely not compacted)
• ¼ chives, roughly chopped
• ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• 1 Teaspoon of salt
• large pinch of ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Chop all of the vegetables. In a large bowl combine the tomato and onions first then add the cucumbers and mix well. Next add the carrots then the parsley and chives and mix until well combined. Mix in the chickpeas and again stir until well mixed. Set aside.
2. Pour into a small mason jar the lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper. Tightly close the lid and shake vigorously until the ingredients are well combined. Taste and if necessary adjust the dressing.
3. Pour the dressing over the vegetables and stir until well combined. You can serve the salad right away or store in the fridge to cool and until ready to use. 

Notes

* If you’re using homemade chickpeas the 15 oz can is the equivalent of about 1¾ cup. 

Nutrition Information

Yield

4

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 289Total Fat 10gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 8gCholesterol 0mgSodium 1011mgCarbohydrates 41gFiber 11gSugar 11gProtein 12g

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

If you love this chickpea salad recipe be sure to try out this Easy and Amazing BLT Pasta Salad!