Herbed Pasta Salad

Bright, fresh, and bursting with flavor, this Herbed Pasta Salad is the ultimate crowd-pleasing dish that’s perfect for any occasion. Featuring tender rotini or penne pasta, crisp cucumbers, juicy cherry tomatoes, and savory black olives, this recipe is elevated by a medley of fresh parsley and basil for an herbaceous kick. Tossed in a zesty homemade dressing with olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, and a touch of honey, every bite is perfectly seasoned. Ready in just 30 minutes, this colorful pasta salad can be served as a chilled main course or a vibrant side dish, with optional parmesan cheese for a creamy finish. Whether for potlucks, barbecues, or meal prep, this versatile and veggie-packed pasta salad is sure to become a favorite in your rotation!

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 oz dry pasta (rotini or penne)
• 1.5 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 large cucumber, diced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 0.25 small red onion, finely chopped
• 0.5 cup black olives, sliced
• 0.25 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 0.25 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 0.25 cup olive oil
• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 tsp honey
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper
• 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese, grated (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, about 10 minutes.

Step 2

Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to cool it down. Set aside to fully drain.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, black olives, parsley, and basil.

Step 4

In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper to make the dressing.

Step 5

Add the cooled pasta to the mixing bowl with the vegetables and herbs.

Step 6

Pour the dressing over the pasta and toss everything together until evenly coated.

Step 7

If desired, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top for extra flavor.

Step 8

Cover and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 9

Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1301.4 grams (1301.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2404

Total Fat 99.90g	128%
Saturated Fat 24.60g	123%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.30g
Cholesterol 47mg	16%
Sodium 3180mg	138%
Total Carbohydrate 303.00g	110%
Dietary Fiber 24.70g	88%
Total Sugars 30.60g
Protein 74.90g	150%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1002mg	77%
Iron 15mg	84%
Potassium 2637mg	56%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 37.3%

Protein: 12.4%

Carbs: 50.3%