Ingredients
Pasta
- 1 box (12 oz) tricolor rotini pasta
Vegetables
- 1 cup chopped cucumber (peeled and seeded, about 1 cucumber)
- 1 cup halved cherry or grape tomatoes
- 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
Cheese & Add-ins
- 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1 can (2.25 oz) sliced black olives, drained
Dressing
- 1/2 – 1 cup Italian salad dressing (to taste)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta – Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the tricolor rotini pasta according to the package directions. When done, drain and rinse the pasta under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the noodles.
- Prepare the Vegetables – While the pasta cooks, peel, seed, and chop the cucumber, halve the cherry or grape tomatoes, and finely dice the red onion.
- Mix the Salad – In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chopped cucumber, tomatoes, feta cheese, black olives, and red onion.
- Add the Dressing – Pour 1/2 cup of Italian salad dressing over the salad ingredients and toss until everything is well combined. Taste and add up to 1/2 cup more dressing, a few tablespoons at a time, until you reach your preferred flavor and consistency.
- Chill and Serve – The salad can be served immediately, but it’s best if refrigerated for 1-2 hours to let the flavors meld. Add more dressing just before serving if needed, as the pasta will absorb some dressing while chilling.
Notes
- This salad is very versatile. Adjust ingredient amounts as desired—add more pasta, tomatoes, olives, onion, or feta to suit your taste.
- Use a high-quality Italian dressing for best flavor. Olive Garden’s store-bought dressing is highly recommended, but use any brand you prefer, including lite options.
- Leftovers keep well in a covered container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Add more dressing to moisten before serving if needed.
- If making ahead, wait to add most of the dressing until right before serving, as pasta absorbs dressing and can dry out.
- Mini cucumbers (salad cucumbers) work well since they have fewer seeds and less water. If using regular cucumbers, remove seeds and pulpy center before chopping.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salads
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 313
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 953mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 13mg