Quick and easy pasta salad recipe with Mediterranean flavors perfect for summer!
I really didn’t think about posting this quick and easy summer pasta salad recipe, but I get so many requests for it I figured it would be easiest to post the recipe here on Snappy Gourmet. I love quick pasta salads and side dishes! My Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad is one my most popular recipes and love this Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad! This quick and easy pasta salad is great for summer BBQs, potlucks, or even as a main dish.
So here you go, how to make pasta salad that is quick and easy! This quick pasta salad, really is QUICK! I generally make a big batch and bring it to various parties and keep some for my family. The recipe makes a lot but you could easily cut it all in half.
You could use any kind of pasta. I generally use penne, rotini, or small shells pasta but just about any kind of small to medium size pasta would work. You could even use leftover pasta if you have some in the fridge and not quite sure what to do with it.
Along with your favorite pasta, add your favorite veggies like tomatoes and cucumbers. Onions and peppers would also be great additions to this quick pasta salad recipe. I also add a big handful of crumbled feta cheese.
For something a little heartier, add some chopped cooked chicken or shrimp and call it a cold main dish pasta salad. haha!
The secret to this pasta salad really is the dressing! I’d love to say it’s homemade, but it is NOT. Shhhhh, don’t tell anyone! I used to make a homemade dressing but got way more compliments for this version (apparently no one likes my homemade dressing?).
So here’s the secret, you ready?? I use Wish-Bone Italian Dressing along with some chopped fresh basil. The two together work so well and I get WAY more compliments than I should for this simple pasta salad. But if you don’t want to tell anyone you didn’t make the pasta salad dressing, your secret is safe with me!
That’s it! Hope you enjoy this quick and easy pasta salad recipe! Would be great with my French Onion Beer Burgers!
We think this is the best pasta salad and I hope you find it delicious too!
Easy Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound rotini pasta (or other pasta), cooked al dente, rinsed in cold water
- 1 1/2 pounds small cherry tomatoes cut in half
- 2 large English cucumbers seeds removed, quartered, and sliced
- 12 ounces feta cheese crumbled
- 0.75 ounces fresh basil finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
- 24 ounces Wish-Bone Italian Dressing (1 bottle)
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cold pasta, tomatoes, cucumbers, and feta until just combined. Stir in basil and about 3/4 of Italian dressing. Cover and store in refrigerator.
- Right before serving, stir in remaining Italian dressing.
Notes
Nutrition:
(Nutrition data is provided when available for informational purposes only and calculated using an online nutritional calculator. For the most accurate information please calculate based on specific ingredients and brands you use as well as any changes you made to the recipe. I am not a certified nutritionist or registered dietician and any nutritional information provided should only be used as a general guideline and estimate.)
Other pasta salad recipes you may enjoy:
- Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad – Snappy Gourmet
- Pepperoni Pizza Salad – Circle B Kitchen
About Lisa Huff
Lisa Huff is a Cookbook Author, Freelance Recipe Developer, Food Photographer, Blogger/Writer, and award-winning home chef. She loves creating unique recipes from healthy to decadent including cocktails, appetizers, main dishes, dessert recipes and more and has appeared on various shows, publications, and websites.
Pasta and Italian dressing is a match made in heaven! I also love that you added feta cheese, must be very delicious!
I love using Italian dressing in my pasta salads! I have taken a salad like this to so many neighborhood parties and it’s always a hit. Looks great!
This will be perfect for summer potlucks! Even game day parties.
I love the simplicity of this pasta salad. Nothing better and quick and easy and full of flavor!
I love quick and easy pasta salads. This looks so creamy and delish. I love the flavors of feta in there. yum!