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Fresh Rainbow Veggie Pasta Salad with Kid-Friendly Italian Dressing

fresh rainbow veggie pasta salad - featured image
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A quick, colorful, and kid-friendly pasta salad featuring fresh vegetables tossed in a tangy yet sweet Italian dressing. Perfect for busy weeknights and loved by both kids and adults.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces rotini or fusilli pasta
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup shredded carrots
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion (optional)
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 small garlic clove, minced (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions, about 9-11 minutes, until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  2. Drain pasta in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta for the salad.
  3. While pasta cooks, halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, thinly slice the red and yellow bell peppers, shred the carrots, finely chop the red onion, and parsley.
  4. In a small bowl or jar, combine olive oil, white wine vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper. Whisk or shake vigorously until emulsified and slightly thickened.
  5. In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta and chopped veggies. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently but thoroughly to coat evenly.
  6. Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld and pasta absorb the dressing. Stir once more before serving.

Notes

Cook pasta al dente to avoid mushiness. Rinse pasta with cold water immediately after cooking. Pat cucumbers dry to prevent sogginess. Dressing can be adjusted for sweetness or acidity. Salad tastes better after chilling for at least 30 minutes. Prep veggies ahead to save time. Gluten-free pasta and vegan substitutions are possible.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, kid-friendly, Italian dressing, rainbow veggies, quick salad, healthy pasta salad, easy dinner, vegetarian

Find it online: https://cheerycrisp.com/fresh-rainbow-veggie-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-kid-friendly-italian-dressing/