Indulge in the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean with this refreshing Greek Rotini Pasta Salad. Bursting with colorful vegetables, tangy feta cheese, and savory Kalamata olives, this salad is a delightful fusion of flavors. Every bite is a burst of freshness and satisfaction. Whether served as a side dish or a light main course, this salad is perfect for picnics, potlucks, BBQs, or as a quick and easy weekday meal.
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces rotini pasta
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
- ½ cup pitted kalamata olives, halved
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- ½ cup shredded carrots
- ¼ cup banana peppers, sliced
- 1 bell pepper (red/orange/yellow), diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup dressing of choice, I use the Kraft Supreme Italian Dressing and I also use more dressing than the recipe calls for! 😊
** Variations: Feel free to make this pasta salad your own or use suitable replacements that you may already have in your pantry/fridge. I will note my variations that I use often below.
Instructions:
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Cook Rotini Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta (sometimes I use bow tie pasta) and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Allow it to cool completely.
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Prepare Vegetables: While the pasta is cooking, prepare the vegetables. Dice the cucumber, chop the onion, slice the banana peppers, dice the bell pepper, and halve the cherry tomatoes (I will omit the tomatoes if my kids will be eating the salad - they aren't tomato fans)
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Assemble Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, diced cucumber, crumbled feta cheese, halved Kalamata olives, chopped onion, shredded carrots, sliced banana peppers, diced bell pepper, and halved cherry tomatoes. Toss gently to combine.
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Add Dressing: Pour your dressing of choice over the salad and toss until everything is evenly coated.
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Chill and Serve: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together. Before serving, give the salad a final toss and adjust seasoning (dressing) if necessary.
Nutritional Value (per serving, based on 6 servings):
- Calories: ~330
- Total Fat: ~15g
- Saturated Fat: ~5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: ~25mg
- Sodium: ~670mg
- Total Carbohydrates: ~38g
- Dietary Fiber: ~4g
- Sugars: ~6g
- Protein: ~11g
Serving Size: This recipe yields approximately 6 servings. Adjust quantities as needed for larger or smaller portions. Enjoy the flavors of Greece in every forkful of this delightful pasta salad!
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