A simple, yet delicious dish that brings together vibrant flavours and textures. This pasta salad recipe is perfect for a quick lunch or to serve as a side dish at dinner parties.
Most ingredients in this recipe should be fairly common in your pantry. However, you might want to check for Italian-style salad dressing and dried cranberries. These add a tangy sweetness that complements the pasta and vegetables beautifully.
Ingredients for the Simple Tasty Pasta Salad
Rotini pasta: This spiral pasta is perfect for salads as it holds onto sauces and dressings well.
Roma tomatoes: They are firm and slightly tangy, perfect for salads.
Cucumber: Adds a crunchy texture.
Green bell pepper: Gives a mild sweetness and crunch.
Red onion: It adds a sharpness that contrasts with the other flavours.
Black olives: They give a briny depth to the salad.
Italian-style salad dressing: It brings together all the flavours, giving a tangy and savoury taste.
Bacon bits: Adds a smoky, meaty flavour.
Dried cranberries: They add a hint of sweetness.
One reader, Etta Ali says:
This simple tasty pasta salad recipe is a game-changer! The combination of fresh veggies, tangy Italian dressing, and savory bacon bits creates a burst of flavors in every bite. It's a crowd-pleaser and perfect for any occasion. I highly recommend trying it out!
Techniques Required for Making simple tasty pasta salad recipe
How to cook the rotini: Boil a large pot of lightly salted water and cook the rotini for about 8 minutes until tender yet firm to the bite.
How to cool the pasta: Rinse the cooked pasta with cold water until cool, then drain.
How to combine the ingredients: Mix the cooled pasta, tomatoes, cucumber, green bell pepper, red onion, and black olives in a large bowl.
How to dress the salad: Pour the Italian-style salad dressing over the pasta mixture, then toss to coat.
How to serve the salad: Sprinkle bacon bits and cranberries over the salad before serving.
How To Make Simple Tasty Pasta Salad
Try making an effortless meal with our Simple Tasty Pasta Salad Recipe. Enjoy a colorful dish of tricolor rotini pasta, Italian dressing, and bacon bits.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 12ozrotini pastatri-color
- 4pcsRoma tomatoesplum, quartered
- 1cucumberquartered and sliced
- ½green bell pepperminced
- ¼pcred onionminced
- 2.25ozblack olivessliced
- 16ozItalian-style salad dressingzesty lite, to taste
- 2.5ozbacon bits(1 package)
- 6ozdried cranberriesto taste
Instructions
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Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook the rotini at a boil for about 8 minutes, until tender yet firm to the bite.
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Drain the rotini. Rinse pasta with cold water until cool, then drain.
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Combine cooled pasta, tomatoes, cucumber, green bell pepper, red onion, and black olives in a large bowl.
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Pour Italian-style salad dressing over the pasta mixture, then toss to coat.
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Sprinkle bacon bits and cranberries over the salad to serve. Enjoy!
Nutrition
- Calories: 1099.58kcal
- Fat: 68.29g
- Saturated Fat: 13.39g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 21.67g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 29.18g
- Carbohydrates: 109.15g
- Fiber: 7.16g
- Sugar: 36.31g
- Protein: 18.83g
- Cholesterol: 18.96mg
- Sodium: 518.64mg
- Calcium: 59.41mg
- Potassium: 606.92mg
- Iron: 2.57mg
- Vitamin A: 37.56µg
- Vitamin C: 23.09mg
Technique Tip for Elevating Your simple tasty pasta salad recipe
When preparing the rotini pasta, it's important to not overcook it. Pasta for salad should be cooked until it's al dente, or firm to the bite. This prevents the pasta from becoming mushy when mixed with the italian-style salad dressing. Also, rinsing the pasta under cold water not only cools it down for the salad, but also helps to remove excess starch which can make your salad sticky.
Time-Saving Tips for Preparing a Delicious Pasta Salad
Prep ahead: Prepare the pasta and chop the vegetables the night before to save time on the day of making the salad.
Use pre-cooked bacon: Opt for pre-cooked bacon bits to save time on cooking and cleanup.
Buy pre-cut vegetables: Consider purchasing pre-cut vegetables to minimize prep time.
Multi-task: While the pasta is cooking, chop the vegetables to maximize efficiency.
Invest in a good quality salad dressing: Using a high-quality pre-made salad dressing can save time and still deliver great flavor.
Make a large batch: Prepare a larger quantity of the pasta salad to have leftovers for future meals, saving time on meal prep later.
Substitute Ingredients For Simple Tasty Pasta Salad Recipe
rotini pasta - Substitute with penne pasta: Penne pasta has a similar shape and texture, making it a suitable substitute for rotini in the pasta salad.
roma tomatoes - Substitute with cherry tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes can add a burst of sweetness and color to the pasta salad, and their smaller size makes them convenient for serving.
cucumber - Substitute with zucchini: Zucchini can provide a similar crunchy texture and mild flavor to the pasta salad, adding a unique twist to the dish.
green bell pepper - Substitute with yellow bell pepper: Yellow bell peppers offer a slightly sweeter flavor compared to green bell peppers, adding a vibrant color and taste to the pasta salad.
red onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots have a milder flavor compared to red onions, and their delicate taste can complement the other ingredients in the pasta salad.
black olives - Substitute with kalamata olives: Kalamata olives have a rich, fruity flavor that can enhance the overall taste of the pasta salad, providing a more complex and savory profile.
italian-style salad dressing - Substitute with balsamic vinaigrette: Balsamic vinaigrette can add a tangy and slightly sweet flavor to the pasta salad, offering a different dressing option with a hint of acidity.
bacon bits - Substitute with smoked turkey bits: Smoked turkey bits can provide a similar smoky flavor and crunchy texture to the pasta salad, offering a healthier alternative to traditional bacon bits.
dried cranberries - Substitute with golden raisins: Golden raisins can add a natural sweetness and chewy texture to the pasta salad, complementing the other ingredients with their subtle fruity flavor.
Presentation Tips for a Delightful Pasta Salad
Elevate the pasta: Carefully arrange the cooked rotini pasta in a nest-like shape on the plate to create an elegant and visually appealing base for the salad.
Artful tomato placement: Slice the roma tomatoes into thin, uniform slices and arrange them in a circular pattern around the pasta, creating a vibrant and colorful display.
Cucumber ribbon garnish: Use a vegetable peeler to create long, thin cucumber ribbons and delicately place them on top of the pasta salad for a touch of freshness and texture.
Bell pepper confetti: Dice the green bell pepper into tiny, uniform pieces and sprinkle them over the salad, adding a pop of color and a subtle crunch to each bite.
Red onion flower: Thinly slice the red onion and soak it in ice water to create a beautiful, delicate flower shape to adorn the pasta salad.
Olive and cranberry scatter: Strategically scatter the black olives and dried cranberries around the plate, adding bursts of flavor and visual interest to the dish.
Bacon bit sprinkle: Gently sprinkle the bacon bits over the salad, adding a savory and smoky element to the overall presentation.
Dress with precision: Drizzle the Italian-style salad dressing over the pasta salad with a steady hand, ensuring an even distribution and a glossy finish.
Garnish with microgreens: Add a final touch of sophistication by garnishing the dish with a small cluster of fresh microgreens, enhancing the overall visual appeal and providing a subtle hint of herbaceousness.
Essential Tools for Crafting the Perfect Pasta Salad
- Large pot: A large pot is essential for boiling the pasta.
- Colander: A colander is used for draining the cooked pasta.
- Cutting board: A cutting board is needed for chopping the vegetables.
- Knife: A sharp knife is essential for cutting the vegetables and other ingredients.
- Large bowl: A large bowl is used for mixing the pasta salad.
- Serving spoon: A serving spoon is used for tossing and serving the pasta salad.
- Measuring cup: A measuring cup is used for accurately measuring the salad dressing and other ingredients.
- Mixing spoon: A mixing spoon is used for combining the pasta and other ingredients with the dressing.
- Platter: A platter can be used for serving the pasta salad.
Storing and Freezing Pasta Salad for Later
- To store the pasta salad, place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. The flavors will meld together and intensify over time, making it even more delicious.
- If you want to freeze the pasta salad, it's best to do so before adding the dressing and any fresh vegetables like tomatoes or cucumbers. These ingredients can become mushy when thawed.
- Cook the pasta until it's slightly firmer than al dente, as it will soften further when thawed. Drain and rinse the pasta under cold water to stop the cooking process.
- Toss the cooled pasta with a little olive oil to prevent sticking, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container or resealable plastic bag. Squeeze out any excess air before sealing.
- Freeze the pasta for up to 2 months. When ready to use, thaw the pasta in the refrigerator overnight.
- Once thawed, add the fresh vegetables, dressing, bacon bits, and cranberries to the pasta, tossing well to combine. Adjust the seasoning if needed and serve chilled.
- If the pasta salad seems dry after thawing, add a little extra dressing or a splash of lemon juice and olive oil to revive the texture and flavor.
How To Reheat Pasta Salad Leftovers
Refrigerate the leftover pasta salad in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. This will help maintain its freshness and prevent the pasta from drying out or absorbing unwanted odors from other foods in the fridge.
When ready to reheat, remove the desired portion of pasta salad from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes. This allows the salad to slightly warm up and helps prevent the pasta from becoming mushy during the reheating process.
For best results, reheat the pasta salad in the microwave. Place the portion in a microwave-safe bowl and add a splash of water or Italian dressing to help moisten the pasta and prevent it from drying out. Cover the bowl with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small vent for steam to escape.
Microwave the pasta salad on high power for 30-45 seconds, then stir gently to distribute the heat evenly. If needed, continue microwaving in 15-second intervals until the salad reaches your desired temperature. Be careful not to overheat, as this can cause the pasta to become mushy and the vegetables to lose their texture.
Alternatively, you can reheat the pasta salad in a skillet on the stovetop. Add a small amount of olive oil or Italian dressing to the skillet and heat over medium-low heat. Add the pasta salad and stir gently, heating until warmed through. This method allows you to maintain better control over the temperature and helps prevent the pasta from becoming overcooked.
Once reheated, taste the pasta salad and adjust the seasoning if needed. You may want to add a little extra Italian dressing, salt, or pepper to enhance the flavors.
Serve the reheated pasta salad immediately and enjoy! If you have any remaining leftovers, store them back in the refrigerator promptly to maintain food safety.
Interesting Trivia About Pasta Salad
The pasta salad recipe is a great source of essential nutrients, as it contains tomatoes, cucumber, and olives, which are all rich in vitamins and antioxidants.
Is Making Pasta Salad at Home Cost-Effective?
This pasta salad recipe is quite cost-effective for a household. The ingredients, such as pasta, tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, onion, black olives, bacon bits, and cranberries, are generally affordable and widely available. The Italian-style salad dressing is also a reasonably priced item. Considering the quantity and quality of the ingredients, this recipe offers good value for money. On a scale of 1-10, I would rate this recipe a solid 8 for its affordability and delicious taste. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people would be around $15-$20, making it a budget-friendly option for a satisfying meal.
Is This Pasta Salad Healthy or Unhealthy?
This pasta salad recipe has both healthy and unhealthy elements. Let's break it down:
Healthy ingredients:
- Rotini pasta (assuming it's whole grain)
- Roma tomatoes
- Cucumber
- Green bell pepper
- Red onion
- Black olives (in moderation)
Unhealthy ingredients:
- Italian-style salad dressing (often high in calories, fat, and sodium)
- Bacon bits (high in saturated fat and sodium)
- Dried cranberries (high in sugar)
While the recipe includes a variety of vegetables, which provide essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber, the dressing and toppings can quickly turn this dish into a less healthy option.
To make this pasta salad healthier, consider the following suggestions:
- Opt for whole grain rotini to increase the fiber content and nutritional value
- Replace the Italian-style dressing with a lighter, homemade vinaigrette using olive oil, vinegar, and herbs
- Swap the bacon bits for a leaner protein source, such as grilled chicken or chickpeas
- Reduce the amount of dried cranberries or replace them with fresh, diced fruit for natural sweetness and less added sugar
- Add more vegetables to the salad, such as spinach, carrots, or broccoli, to increase the nutrient density
- Use a smaller amount of dressing, and toss the salad well to ensure even coating without overdoing it
By making these adjustments, you can transform this pasta salad into a more balanced and nutritious meal that still satisfies your taste buds.
Editor's Opinion on This Tasty Pasta Salad Recipe
The recipe for the simple tasty pasta salad is a delightful combination of flavors and textures. The use of rotini pasta provides a great base, while the addition of fresh vegetables, black olives, bacon bits, and dried cranberries adds depth and complexity. The Italian-style salad dressing ties everything together with its zesty and herby notes. This pasta salad is a perfect balance of savory and sweet, making it a versatile and satisfying dish for any occasion.
Enhance Your Simple Tasty Pasta Salad Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
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Appetizers and Desserts to Complement Your Pasta Salad
Why trust this Simple Tasty Pasta Salad Recipe:
This recipe offers a delightful combination of rotini pasta, fresh roma tomatoes, crisp cucumber, and flavorful green bell pepper. The addition of black olives and bacon bits provides a savory twist, while the dried cranberries add a hint of sweetness. The Italian-style salad dressing ties everything together, creating a harmonious blend of flavors and textures. Trust the expertise behind this recipe to elevate your pasta salad experience.
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