Easy Homemade Pasta Salad You Can Make in 30 Minutes

This easy homemade pasta salad is such a crowd-pleasing mashup of Greek and Italian flavors. It’s surprisingly simple to make yet so loaded with flavor, my readers always tell me this is their new go-to pasta salad. In under 20 minutes, you can have the perfect last-minute lunch or side dish ready with minimal effort. What makes this recipe so awesome is that it’s fast, easy to make, and flexible. You can use whatever seasonal ingredients you have on hand, or swap in your favorite veggies and protein. The best dressing is simple yet flavorful – it perfectly complements the pasta and fresh ingredients. Whether as a lunch, appetizer or picnic dish, this salad is always a favorite and an easy option to bring to share with others.

Easy Homemade Pasta Salad

Now let’s get started making this Easy Homemade Pasta Salad. This versatile dish comes together in just 30 minutes for a fresh summer side everyone will enjoy.

What’s the Best Pasta to Use for Pasta Salad?

As someone who makes pasta salads almost weekly throughout the summer, I’ve experimented with many different pasta shapes to see which hold up best. For lighter, fresher pasta salads, I love hearty pasta shapes like penne, fusilli, rotini, or farfalle (bowtie). They have an advantage in that their nooks and crannies trap bits of the flavorful dressing or cheese. Smaller shapes also work well, in fact I’d say my family and I both love orzo pasta for cold salads – it delicately cradles all the ingredients.

What else to Add to Pasta Salad?

When building the perfect pasta salad, there are lots of additional ingredients you can include to take it to the next level. Here are some additional things you can add:

• Veggies: Add a variety of veggies like peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, broccoli for color, flavor and texture. Dress and toss well so they soak up sauce.
• Fresh Herbs: Fresh herbs like basil, parsley and oregano add big flavor. Chop finely and distribute throughout.
• Cheese: Cubes or crumbles of cheese like fresh mozzarella, Parmesan cheese or feta complement the salad. Stir in so it melts into the homemade Italian dressing a bit. Try feta cheese for a Greek pasta salad, or swap it for shredded sharp cheddar. You can also leave cheese out entirely for a vegan pasta salad.
• Protein: For substance, include cooked chickpeas, rotisserie roasted chicken, flaked poached salmon or love chopped salami for an Italian pasta salad.
• Olives or Pepperoncini peppers: Items like olives, Use Kalamata and green olives or Pepperoncini peppers love to make salads dance!
• Seasoning: Experiment with what you love.

When adding lots of fresh veggies to your pasta salad, it not only adds color, flavor and satisfying crunch but provides extra nutrients too. In the summer months, stick with veggies like bell peppers, cucumber, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes. For cooler months, consider sliced fennel, grated carrots, roasted butternut squash or cauliflower for a hearty winter salad. Want something with a creamy, irresistible twist? Check out my Grilled Cajun Chicken Pasta recipe. It’s loaded with a velvety dressing, just like a creamy pasta salad, that will have you coming back for more.

Pasta Salad Dressing

As someone who enjoys experimenting in the kitchen, I’m always trying new ways to dress up my pasta salads. My favorite tangy Italian dressing has no mayo – instead, it uses wholesome ingredients like olive oil, white vinegar, salt, pepper, and dried oregano and basil for big flavor. A little bit of sugar takes the edge off the acidity. For extra freshness, I like tossing in fresh herbs like parsley, basil, or chives.

Making your own homemade dressing takes approximately 60 seconds in the blender or food processor, and it truly makes you the pasta salad boss. The creamy yet bright zing perfectly complements the pasta and other ingredients. With the right dressing, even the most simple pasta salad recipe is transformed!

Ingredients

Getting the ingredients gathered for the easy homemade pasta salad is simple when you follow a list like this:

How to Make Easy Homemade Pasta Salad?

To begin, you will need to gather all the necessary ingredients for the pasta salad such as dried pasta, fresh vegetables, cheese, olives, and seasonings. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over the stove. Once boiling, add the pasta and cook it until just tender, usually around 6–10 minutes depending on the type of pasta. Be sure to check the package for the manufacturer’s recommended cooking time.

While the pasta is cooking, you can quickly make the dressing. In a large salad bowl, whisk together the red wine vinegar, salt, pepper, oregano, fresh herbs like parsley, basil or chives, and pepperoncini juice if using. Gradually whisk in the olive oil to fully blend together the dressing ingredients.

Once the pasta is tender and al dente, drain it in a colander and rinse with cold water to halt the cooking process. Add the hot drained pasta into the dressing in the salad bowl. Gently mix the pasta with the dressing until fully and evenly coated. Then stir in the assorted sliced vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, tomatoes and cucumbers. Also add any olives, cheese like Parmesan or mozzarella.

Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning by adding more salt or pepper if needed. The pasta salad is now ready to be served and enjoyed! For optimal freshness, any leftovers can be covered and refrigerated for at least 30 minutes up to 5 days.

RELATED: Grilled Cajun Chicken Pasta

Make Ahead Tips

As someone who loves making big batches of pasta salad ahead of time, I know that it actually gets better the longer those flavors have to develop. The beauty is that those flavors keep marrying together and the longer they linger, the more complex the pasta salad becomes. I always love to make my pasta salad 12–24 hours ahead of time, so the pasta has time to fully absorb the dressing without getting mushy. Stored covered in the fridge, it will keep for up to five days, making it the perfect side dish to prepare in advance.

Whether you’re having friends over or packing leftovers for lunch, taking some time to allow the flavors to deepen in your pasta salad the day before will make it shine. Those extra hours of flavor really make a difference!

How to Store Pasta Salad?

When you’re busy making pasta salad ahead or storing leftovers, it’s important to do so properly. I like to pop any extra salad into the fridge and store it in an airtight container. Stored this way, it will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.

The salad may seem a bit dry after a day or two, since the pasta soaks up the dressing. No problem – simply toss it with a bit more dressing before serving. This makes a great meal prep option on busy days.

As someone who loves the convenience of easy lunches and dinners, being able to whip out a batch of easy homemade pasta salad with minimal effort is a lifesaver. Taking some time on the weekend to prep and store pasta salad is a delicious way to enjoy tasty, healthy meals all week long!

Tips for better Homemade Pasta Salad

1. For the tangy dressing, ditch the store-bought varieties and make a quick, flavorful dressing at home with red wine vinegar, oregano, olive oil, salt and pepper. This adds bright zing to the pasta salad.

2. Since I love how the pasta salad gets better as it sits and the flavors meld beautifully over time, I always prep my salads in advance for stress-free meals or potlucks.

3. Be sure to add colorful veggies like bell peppers and tomato for delightful crunch. You can also adapt with the season – Roasted winter squash is a great addition in the colder months.

4. Add flavor boosters to truly elevate the salad. Fresh herbs like basil and dill add tangy flavor, while pickled veggies provide a spicy kick. Also try sliced pepperoncini peppers, olives for a briny bite or fresh mozzarella for creamy richness.

5. Easy pasta salad with mayo is a classic combination, but for lighter fare I recommend a simple vinaigrette of olive oil, vinegar and fresh herbs. The brightness of the homemade dressing lets the fresh veggies and pasta really shine through.

Variations

One thing that makes pasta salad, so easy is how you can customize it to your tastes. Feel free to mix things up and use what ingredients you have on hand, whether you’re cleaning out the fridge or taking advantage of what’s fresh from your summer garden or the farmers market.

Some ingredients that work well in pasta salad include cucumbers, artichoke hearts, green onion, mini mozzarella cheese balls or cheese cubes in cheddar, white cheddar, provolone or havarti. You could also add feta cheese, goat cheese, salami, ham or chicken. Nuts like slivered almonds, peas or chickpeas, white beans are also tasty additions. Fresh parsley is a classic herb.

The options are truly endless – feel free to really throw in any of your favorite ingredients! Don’t be afraid to play around and create your own flavor combinations. Pasta salad is naturally easy to customize according to your tastes.

Conclusion

This recipe for Greek-inspired pasta salad captures the bright, vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean in a simple, satisfying dish. With a bold yet balanced vinegar and herb dressing coating fusilli pasta mixed with peppers, cucumbers, olives and feta cheese, each bite delivers plenty of flavor. Easy to assemble and even easier to enjoy, it’s an ideal make-ahead meal that allows its flavors to deepen over time. With minimal ingredients yielding maximum taste, this best pasta salad recipe ever is a go-to choice for warm-weather meals and potlucks alike.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What kind of salt do you recommend?

I’d recommend using a fine sea salt for this pasta salad. Sea salt has a clean, balanced flavor that enhances the other ingredients without overpowering them.

2. Can I use other veggies and extras in this pasta salad?

Yes, feel free to experiment with different veggies you have on hand like peppers, cherry tomatoes, carrots. You can also add chopped olives, feta or Parmesan cheese. Even a simple 4 ingredient pasta salad including pasta, tomato, cucumber and basil can be tasty.

3. If I’m at a picnic, how do I ensure this stays at a safe temperature?

Use an insulated container with ice packs to keep the salad below 40°F. Avoid leaving it out for over 2 hours, or 1 hour if it’s hot out. Eat within an hour if the temp is above 90°F. Proper cooling is key for food safety at picnics.

4. What do you put in pasta?

The most common ingredients to include in pasta are tomatoes, olives, onions, herbs like basil and oregano, olive oil, salt and pepper. You can also add protein like chicken or tuna, vegetables like carrots, corn and beans. Cheese such as Parmesan is also a staple. For a heartier salad, try a 5 ingredient pasta salad packed with olives, pepperoncini, artichokes and feta cheese tossed with an herbed vinaigrette.

5. What are the five mistakes to avoid pasta salad?

The five mistakes to avoid are:

1. Overdressing the pasta
2. Using a heavy mayo-based dressing
3. Not seasoning adequately
4. Not including variety of textures or colors
5. Forgetting to chill before serving

6. Should you let pasta cool before making pasta salad?

Yes, it’s best to let pasta fully cool before making pasta salad. Hot pasta will cause the vegetables to become soggy. Cooling the pasta prevents over-absorption of moisture.

7. What is a pasta salad made of?

Common ingredients in pasta salad include pasta noodles, vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, onions. It also often contains olives, cheese like feta or Parmesan and a vinaigrette type dressing made with olive oil, vinegar and herbs. Protein items like chicken, tuna or beans are optionally added too.

8. What makes a pasta salad delicious, even with just a few ingredients?

When building the easy homemade pasta salad, there are lots of additional ingredients you can include to take it to the next level. However, even a simple 3 ingredient pasta salad can be delicious when made with quality products. A basic dressing of olive oil, red wine vinegar and dried oregano brings out the flavors of the pasta and fresh vegetables.

9. How long will this prepared pasta salad stay good in the fridge?

Stored properly in the fridge, this pasta salad can be enjoyed for 3–5 days. The herbs and veggies mean it’s best consumed within a few days for peak freshness.

10. Can this pasta salad be prepped ahead of time?

Indeed, it’s ideal to make this pasta salad 1–2 days before serving to allow flavors to deepen. Wait until shortly before serving to stir in fresh basil for maximum flavor and color.

11. Can you freeze pasta salad?

While some pasta salads freeze well, the moisture in fresh veggies risks sogginess. It’s best to only prepare portions you’ll consume within 3–5 days from the fridge.

Easy Homemade Pasta Salad

Recipe by Carmen FoodieCourse: PastaCuisine: Italian

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

20

minutes

Calories

360

kcal

Total time

30

minutes

Lighten up your summer potlucks and picnics with this fresh and vibrant pasta salad. Bursting with veggies like cherry tomatoes, cucumbers and carrots tossed with penne, chickpeas and Parmesan, it’s full of flavor but feels light as a breeze. With easy prep and a versatile olive oil dressing, this healthy pasta creation comes together in a snap for a crowd-pleasing dish everyone will enjoy.

Ingredients

• Pasta Salad:

• 8 oz penne pasta

• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

• 1/2 cucumber, diced

• 1 carrot, grated

• 1/4 cup diced red onion

• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped

• 1/2 cup canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained

• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

• Homemade Dressing:

• 1/4 cup olive oil

• 3 tbsp red wine vinegar

• 1 garlic clove, minced

• 1/2 tsp dried oregano

• 1/8 tsp pepper

• Pinch of salt

Directions

• Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook penne pasta until al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients of olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, oregano, and salt and pepper.
• Add the cooked pasta, tomatoes, cucumber, carrot, onion and basil to a large bowl. Pour the homemade dressing over top and toss until fully combined.
• Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Serve chilled or at room temperature.