Best Easy Pasta Salad Recipe

With one simple method, you can make the best pasta salad ever using your family's favorite ingredients and dressing. This is infinitely flexible, it stores well so you can make it ahead, and it's great cold or at room temperature. (See the Notes for variations!)

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Cooling Time 10

Total Time 30

Servings -10

Calories 460kcal

Author Amy Palanjian

Equipment

Ingredients

Pasta Salad

1 pound farfalle pasta (or rotini)
1 pint cherry tomatoes (halved lengthwise)
1 medium English cucumber (sliced into half-moons; about 2 cups)
1 cup diced mozzarella
½ cup thinly sliced red onion (optional)

Italian Dressing

¾ cup olive oil
½ cup red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon honey
½ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons minced garlic (from a jar or two cloves)
freshly cracked black pepper

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and prepare the pasta according to the directions on the box, making sure not to overcook. Drain.
Let the pasta cool while you prepare the tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion.
Add the ingredients for the dressing to a pint-size mason jar and shake to combine, or add to a small bowl and whisk with a fork.
Add all of the ingredients to a large bowl or storage container, mix gently to combine, and serve cold or at room temperature.
Season to taste with additional salt and oregano, as desired.

Notes

Store pasta salad in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Stir to serve cold or at room temperature.
Trade in an equal amount of pesto, bottled Italian Dressing, or bottled Caesar dressing to change the flavor.
Add cooked, diced chicken, drained and rinsed white beans or chickpeas, or cooked and cooled shrimp to add more protein.
Add 1 cup each thinly sliced salami and/or black olives if desired.
Use gluten-free pasta as needed.
Omit the cheese to make this dairy-free.
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad: Add two cups cooked chicken (such as my Pan-Seared Chicken Tenders or rotisserie chicken) and use Caesar Dressing. Add croutons if desired.
Quick Italian Pasta Salad: Use bottled Italian dressing that you like in place of making your own dressing. Add sliced black olives and salami.
Southwest Pasta Salad: Use diced cheddar cheese in place of the mozzarella, 1 can drained and rinsed black beans, and use a Mexican-style dressing such as a lime vinaigrette.
Pesto Pasta Salad: Trade in pesto for the Italian dressing for a more herb-forward flavor.

Nutrition