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A vibrant bowl of fresh pasta salad with colorful vegetables.

Proven way to grow 5-star Pasta Salad

This pasta salad recipe is a proven winner, offering a delicious and easy-to-make dish that's perfect for potlucks, picnics, or a simple meal. It's packed with fresh ingredients and a zesty dressing.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta
  • 16 ounces Rotini pasta
Vegetables
  • 1 medium Cucumber diced
  • 1 pint Cherry tomatoes halved
  • 0.5 medium Red onion thinly sliced
Dressing
  • 1 cup Mayonnaise
  • 0.25 cup Red wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon Salt
  • 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Strainer
  • Large bowl
  • Whisk

Method
 

Cooking Pasta
  1. Cook the rotini pasta according to package directions until al dente; then drain and rinse it with cold water to cool it down.
Prepping Vegetables
  1. While the pasta cooks, dice the cucumber, halve the cherry tomatoes, and thinly slice the red onion, then set them aside.
Making the Dressing
  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until the dressing is smooth and well combined.
Combining Everything
  1. Add the cooled pasta, diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, and sliced red onion to the bowl with the dressing and gently toss until all ingredients are evenly coated.
Chilling and Serving
  1. Cover the pasta salad and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes before serving, allowing the flavors to meld together.

Notes

For an extraburst of flavor, consider adding a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or basil just before serving. You can also customize the vegetables to your liking with bell peppers, olives, or feta cheese.