Description
This cold pasta salad is a refreshing and creamy dish, perfect for summer gatherings. It’s easy to make and packed with fresh ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces pasta (such as rotini or penne)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh herbs (such as parsley or basil) for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, bell pepper, and black olives.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss to combine until everything is evenly coated.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
- Garnish with fresh herbs before serving.
Notes
- Feel free to add protein such as diced chicken or ham for a heartier salad.
- You can substitute Greek yogurt for mayonnaise for a lighter version.
- This salad can be made a day in advance for easy summer entertaining.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 36
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 6
Keywords: cold pasta salad, creamy pasta salad, summer salad recipes, easy pasta salad, fresh pasta salad, pasta salad for gatherings