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Easy Zesty Lunchbox Pasta Salad Recipe with Homemade Italian Dressing

Easy Zesty Lunchbox Pasta Salad - featured image
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A quick and easy pasta salad with a tangy homemade Italian dressing, fresh veggies, and tender pasta, perfect for lunchboxes and meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225 grams) rotini or penne pasta
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced
  • 1 small red bell pepper, diced
  • ½ cup black olives, sliced
  • ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • ⅓ cup (80 ml) extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces (225 grams) of rotini or penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  2. Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta for the salad. Set aside to drain completely.
  3. While the pasta cooks, halve 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, dice 1 medium cucumber, and 1 small red bell pepper. Slice ½ cup of black olives and finely chop ¼ cup of red onion and 2 tablespoons fresh parsley.
  4. In a small bowl or jar, combine ⅓ cup (80 ml) extra virgin olive oil, 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, and 1 teaspoon honey (optional). Whisk or shake well until fully emulsified.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta with all the prepared veggies. Pour the Italian dressing over the top and toss gently but thoroughly to coat every bit of pasta and veggie.
  6. Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld. Give the salad a quick toss before packing it into lunch containers.

Notes

Make sure the pasta is well drained before adding the dressing to avoid a watery salad. For faster chilling, spread the salad thinly on a baking sheet in the fridge for 15 minutes before transferring to a container. Use fresh garlic for best flavor; garlic powder can be a substitute. Toss salad only after pasta is cooled to prevent mushiness. Adjust vinegar or honey in dressing to taste. Add delicate herbs like parsley just before serving to keep them fresh.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, Italian dressing, lunchbox recipe, easy pasta salad, homemade dressing, quick lunch, healthy pasta salad

Find it online: https://junomeals.com/easy-zesty-lunchbox-pasta-salad-recipe-with-homemade-italian-dressing/