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Easy Make-Ahead Pasta Salad Recipe for Big Gatherings You’ll Love

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A quick and easy pasta salad perfect for big gatherings, made with rotini pasta, fresh veggies, feta cheese, and a zesty homemade dressing. This make-ahead recipe lets flavors meld overnight for a delicious, crowd-pleasing dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound rotini or fusilli pasta
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup cucumber, diced
  • 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped (optional)
  • 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
  • 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 pound rotini and cook according to package instructions, about 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool and stop cooking. Set aside to drain well for about 10 minutes.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/3 cup olive oil, 3 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon honey, and 2 minced garlic cloves. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Whisk until smooth and slightly thickened.
  3. Halve 1 cup cherry tomatoes, dice 1 cup cucumber and 1/2 cup red bell pepper, finely chop 1/4 cup red onion, slice 1/2 cup black olives, and chop 1/4 cup fresh parsley.
  4. In a large bowl, combine the drained pasta, chopped vegetables, olives, and crumbled feta. Pour the dressing over and toss gently but thoroughly to coat evenly without breaking up the feta too much.
  5. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, to let flavors meld and pasta absorb the dressing. If dry after chilling, add a splash more olive oil or lemon juice and toss again.
  6. Before serving, stir the salad, taste for seasoning, and add more salt, pepper, or herbs if needed. Serve chilled or at room temperature. Optionally, sprinkle toasted pine nuts or chopped fresh basil on top.

Notes

Rinsing pasta after cooking is crucial to prevent clumping and to help the dressing cling better. Chilling the salad overnight enhances flavor melding. Adjust garlic intensity by roasting or grating instead of mincing. Add dressing gradually to avoid sogginess. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta; for dairy-free, omit or replace feta with vegan cheese.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, make-ahead salad, rotini pasta, summer salad, potluck recipe, easy pasta salad, crowd-pleaser, barbecue side dish

Find it online: https://islatable.com/easy-make-ahead-pasta-salad-recipe-for-big-gatherings-youll-love/