Yaya's Cookbook > Recipes > Lunch Recipes > Simple Pasta Salad

Simple Pasta Salad

This cool and zesty pasta salad combines tri-color rotini, crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and a bottle of bold Italian dressing for a refreshing side dish perfect for warm weather meals.

YaYa’s Simple Pasta Salad

Print Recipe

This simple pasta salad is a colorful, refreshing dish made with tri-color rotini, crisp cucumbers, juicy cherry tomatoes, and zesty Italian dressing. Topped with a sprinkle of Parmesan, it’s the perfect side for warm weather meals, potlucks, or make-ahead lunches. Quick to prepare and easy to customize, it’s a family favorite that disappears fast.

Meal Type: Brunch, Lunch, Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: pasta salad, summer side dish, tri-color rotini, Italian dressing salad, cold pasta recipe, easy picnic food, make-ahead lunch, vegetarian pasta salad

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 8

Servings: 8 Servings

Calories 280

Ingredients

12 oz tri-color rotini pasta
1 pint cherry tomatoes halved or quartered
1 large cucumber peeled and diced
1 bottle 16 oz zesty Italian dressing
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Cook rotini pasta until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water for 2-3 minutes to cool.
While the pasta is cooking, slice the cherry tomatoes and dice the cucumber into small bite-sized pieces.
Add cooled pasta to a large bowl with tomatoes and cucumbers.
Pour the Italian dressing over everything and stir to combine.
Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
Just before serving, sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top. Do not mix.

Yaya’s Tips for Success

This chilled pasta salad is a go-to side dish for warm weather, potlucks, or quick lunches at home. It’s crisp, zesty, and full of texture! The key is to let it chill for a few hours before serving so the flavors really soak into the pasta. Also, make sure you don’t overcook the rotini because it needs to hold up well to all that dressing and veggie crunch.

Use a high-quality zesty Italian dressing for bold flavor
Be sure to rinse the pasta in cold water after draining; it stops the cooking process
If making ahead, wait to add Parmesan until just before serving to keep the texture nice

Yaya’s Customization Ideas

This recipe is a fantastic base you can dress up any way you like.

When I know I’m feeding my crowd, I’ll add pepperoni slices or cubed cheese for a little more bite.
You can also swap out the dressing for a creamy ranch or homemade vinaigrette.

For something that pairs beautifully, serve this pasta salad alongside my Crescent Roll Chicken or a fresh slice of Merryfield Apple Cake.

Yaya’s Original Recipe Card

Kim (Yaya) Hansen

I’m Kim (Yaya) Hansen, a devoted cook and the heart behind Yaya's Cookbook. This cookbook is my way of sharing cherished recipes from myself, my mom and others, and preserving the culinary legacy my mom and I hold so dear.

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Simple Pasta Salad