Ensalada de Pasta Fría
This refreshing Ensalada de Pasta Fría (Cold Pasta Salad) is a rotini pasta salad, that's bursting with fresh vegetables, feta cheese and topped with a zesty dressing. It is the perfect companion for grilled meats and seafood. Perfect for picnics, barbecues, or a light meal on a hot day, it’s a dish that brings color and flavor to any table.
Servings: 15
Calories: 305kcal
Ingredients
- 1 pound rotini pasta
- 3 cups cherry tomatoes rinsed and cut in half
- ½ cup red onion thinly sliced
- ⅓ cup pepperoni slices cut in half
- 1 cup feta cheese crumbled
- 1 cup spinach rinsed
- ¾ cup kalamata olives sliced
Salad Dressing
- 1 cup olive oil
- ½ cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon garlic puree or one garlic clove finely minced
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the box instructions in salted water for more flavor. Drain the water and run the pasta under cold water to stop the cooking process.
- Whisk the dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Add the pasta, tomatoes, spinach, cheese, olives, and pepperoni to a mixing bowl, top with the dressing, and stir all the ingredients together well. Refrigerate for at least an hour to allow the flavors to meld together before serving.
Notes
Recipe Notes:
Pasta - You can substitute rotini with other pasta shapes like penne, fusilli, or farfalle.
Dressing - You can swap the balsamic dressing with Italian dressing.
Cheese - You can add other cheese like mozzarella balls, parmesan, or goat cheese for a different flavor.
Other Delicious Ideas - Add salami cubes, grilled chicken, shrimp, chickpeas, or black beans for a protein boost.
Add Half the Dressing - If you like, add half the salad dressing and save the other half to for leftovers to refresh the salad.
Nutrition
Serving: 10 | Calories: 305kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 268mg | Potassium: 179mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 403IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 70mg | Iron: 1mg