Easy Rainbow Pasta Salad: The Bright, Fresh, and Flavour
Easy Rainbow Pasta Salad is a vibrant, chilled dish featuring tender pasta and an assortment of colorful vegetables tossed in a tangy homemade dressing. It is quick to prepare, highly customizable, and perfect for feeding a crowd. The combination of crisp vegetables and flavorful vinaigrette creates a refreshing balance of textures and tastes. This salad can be served as a side dish or a light main course. It stores well, making it ideal for meal prep and make-ahead entertaining. Beautiful, healthy, and delicious, it is a dependable favorite for every season.
Ingredients
For the Pasta Salad
- 12 ounces tri-color rotini pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1 cup red bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup yellow bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup shredded purple cabbage
- 1 cup carrots, shredded
- ½ cup red onion, finely sliced
- ½ cup black olives, sliced (optional)
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
For the Dressing
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking.
- Wash and chop all vegetables into bite-sized pieces.
- Whisk together olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, garlic, and seasonings until emulsified.
- Combine pasta, vegetables, olives, feta, and parsley in a large bowl.
- Pour dressing over the salad and toss until evenly coated.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Toss again before serving and garnish with extra parsley if desired.
Notes
- Tri-color rotini adds both color and visual appeal.
- Rinsing pasta keeps it cool and prevents sticking.
- Fresh vegetables provide the best crunch.
- Feta adds a creamy, salty contrast.
- Dressing flavor intensifies as the salad chills.
- Add more lemon juice for extra brightness.
- Parsley keeps the flavor fresh and herbaceous.
- Best served cold or slightly chilled.