Free Pasta Salads

When the weather warms up, there’s nothing quite like a refreshing and filling pasta salad to enjoy at picnics, barbecues, or as a light meal at home. Versatile, colorful, and packed with flavors, pasta salads are a fantastic way to show your creativity in the kitchen. Today, we’ll walk you through a simple yet delicious recipe for Free Pasta Salads that can be customized with your favorite ingredients for a tasty and satisfying dish.

**Free Pasta Salads**

**Ingredients:**
– 1 pound of pasta (such as fusilli, penne, or rotini)
– 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
– 1 cucumber, diced
– 1 bell pepper (any color), chopped
– 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
– 1/2 cup black olives, pitted and halved
– 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
– 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped

**Dressing:**
– 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
– 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
– 1 garlic clove, minced
– 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
– Salt and pepper to taste

**Instructions:**

1. **Cook the Pasta:** In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Transfer the pasta to a large mixing bowl.

2. **Prepare the Vegetables:** While the pasta is cooking, prepare the vegetables. Cut the cherry tomatoes in half, dice the cucumber, chop the bell pepper, thinly slice the red onion, halve the black olives, crumble the feta cheese, and chop the basil.

3. **Make the Dressing:** In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until well combined.

4. **Mix it All Together:** Add the prepared cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, black olives, feta cheese, and basil to the bowl with the cooked pasta. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently until everything is well coated.

5. **Chill and Serve:** Cover the pasta salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Before serving, give it a final toss and adjust the seasoning if needed. Enjoy your vibrant and delicious Free Pasta Salad!

Packed with colorful veggies, tangy feta cheese, and a flavorful dressing, this Free Pasta Salad is a delightful addition to any meal. Feel free to customize this recipe by adding your favorite ingredients such as grilled chicken, artichoke hearts, or roasted red peppers. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or looking for a quick weeknight dinner, this pasta salad is sure to impress with its fresh flavors and versatility. So, grab your ingredients, get creative, and whip up a batch of this delicious dish today!