Italian Veggie Pasta Salad
This Italian Veggie Pasta Salad is a vibrant, healthy cold pasta salad loaded with fresh vegetables and tossed in a bold homemade Italian dressing. Light, colorful, and packed with flavor, it’s perfect for meal prep, gatherings, or a refreshing everyday meal.
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 280kcal
Cost: 2
Equipment
- large pot
- colander
- mixing bowl
- whisk or jar
- knife and cutting board
Ingredients
- 300 g rotini or penne pasta
- 1 zucchini, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
- 200 g cherry tomatoes, halved
- 0.5 English cucumber, diced
- 150 g broccoli florets
- 1 cup Kalamata olives, halved
- 1 can artichoke hearts, drained and quartered
- 0.25 red onion, thinly sliced
- 0.33 cup red wine vinegar
- 0.5 cup olive oil
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 0.5 tsp dried basil
- 0.5 tsp sugar
- salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 handful fresh basil, torn
- 1 handful fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- In a jar or bowl, whisk together red wine vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, garlic, oregano, basil, sugar, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and blanch broccoli florets for 90 seconds. Transfer to ice water, then drain and dry.
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water until fully cooled, then drain thoroughly.
- Dice and prepare all vegetables: zucchini, bell peppers, tomatoes, cucumber, olives, artichokes, and red onion.
- Combine cooled pasta, vegetables, and broccoli in a large bowl and toss gently.
- Pour most of the dressing over the salad and toss until evenly coated. Reserve some dressing for later.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1–2 hours to allow flavors to develop.
- Before serving, add remaining dressing, toss well, and fold in fresh basil and parsley. Adjust seasoning and serve cold.
Notes
For best flavor, let the salad marinate for at least 2 hours before serving. Reserve extra dressing to refresh before serving. You can customize with chickpeas, grilled chicken, or feta cheese. Add fresh herbs just before serving to maintain brightness.