Quick and Simple Italian Pasta Salad Recipe

Looking for a refreshing side dish or light meal that everyone will love? Try our Quick and Simple Italian Pasta Salad recipe! This versatile salad can be enjoyed on its own as a main course or paired with grilled chicken or fish. It's packed full of flavors, making it the perfect addition to your summer picnic or backyard barbecue.

Ingredients needed for this dish are pasta (we recommend penne), cherry tomatoes, red bell peppers, green olives, cucumbers, garlic, olive oil, red wine vinegar, and Parmesan cheese. You’ll also need a couple of tablespoons of sugar to balance out the flavors perfectly.

Preparation Time: About 30 Minutes

Servings: 4-6 people

Start by boiling your pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, drain it and let it cool slightly before transferring to a large bowl.

• Fresh cherry tomatoes - cut into bite-sized pieces
• Red bell peppers - sliced finely
• Cucumbers - diced into small cubes
• Green olives - pitted and chopped
• Parmesan cheese - shaved or grated over the top of the salad at serving time, optional but highly recommended for extra flavor.

While your pasta cools down, prepare all other ingredients. Slice up any fruits you might want to add like bell peppers and cucumber. Chop green olives finely so they blend well with other components. Don’t forget about garlic cloves which should be minced or crushed before adding them into the mix.

Making the Dressing:

For a vibrant dressing that complements your pasta salad, combine olive oil, red wine vinegar (or white balsamic if you prefer), salt, pepper to taste, and sugar. Whisk these ingredients together until they form an emulsion - essentially meaning everything should be well mixed so that the sauce clings smoothly around each bite.

1. Firstly, warm up your olive oil gently by drizzling it over the salad while stirring continuously.
2. Next, add in the vinegar along with a bit of salt and pepper. Taste as you go to adjust seasoning to suit personal preferences.
3. Add sugar for sweetness; this helps balance out acidity from lemon juice or other sour elements present within your mix. This step is crucial because too much acid without sufficient sweet can make dishes seem overly tart.

Once all these components are combined and tossed together, let the flavors meld for at least ten minutes before serving to ensure everything tastes just right. The longer you leave it, the more tender your veggies will become due to the heat from the oil helping them soften up gently.

Putting It All Together:

Add all your chopped vegetables into a large mixing bowl along with the drained pasta. Pour over the dressing and gently mix everything together using tongs or two spoons until everything is evenly coated. Be careful not to overmix as you want some texture in your salad rather than mush.

Top off each serving with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy this delightful combination of fresh ingredients served cold either on its own or alongside any main course dishes such as grilled chicken or fish fillets.

Nutritional Information:

(Per Serving - approximate values may vary depending upon portion sizes and exact type of pasta used.)Calories: ~200 kcalProtein: 10gFat: 12gSodium: ~450mg

Now that you have a delicious Italian Pasta Salad recipe at your fingertips, why not try it out for yourself? This easy-to-make dish is sure to become a favorite among family and friends alike. Whether you're hosting an impromptu gathering or simply preparing something tasty for lunch, this salad offers countless possibilities to impress.