Easy Rainbow Pasta Salad: A Colorful, Fresh, and Crowd
Easy Rainbow Pasta Salad is a colorful blend of pasta, fresh vegetables, and a zesty homemade dressing. Packed with vibrant ingredients and nutritious flavors, this refreshing salad is perfect for picnics, potlucks, meal prep, and family dinners. Its beautiful rainbow presentation makes it visually appealing, while the combination of crisp vegetables and tender pasta ensures a satisfying texture. Easy to customize and prepare ahead of time, this dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 12 ounces rotini pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 orange carrot, shredded
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1 cup purple cabbage, shredded
- ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
For the Dressing
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.Cook the rotini pasta according to package instructions until al dente.Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
- Wash and chop all vegetables.Place tomatoes, bell peppers, carrot, cucumber, cabbage, onion, and parsley in a large mixing bowl.
- Add the cooled pasta to the vegetables.Pour the dressing over the salad.Toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.
- Toss once more before serving and garnish with additional parsley if desired.
Notes
- Use colorful vegetables for the best rainbow effect.
- Cook pasta just until al dente.
- Rinse pasta with cold water after cooking.
- Fresh vegetables provide the best texture.
- Chill before serving for enhanced flavour.
- Homemade dressing offers the freshest taste.
- Adjust seasoning to personal preference.
- This salad tastes even better the next day.