Refreshing Zesty Italian Pasta Salad Recipe
A fresh, zesty Italian pasta salad featuring al dente penne, sweet cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, black olives, basil, and a bright lemon vinaigrette. Chill for extra flavor and serve as a light lunch or party side.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup diced cucumber
- 1/2 cup sliced black olives
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan shavings
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1/4 cup dry white wine
- 1 tablespoon capers, rinsed
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne for 10 minutes or until al dente.
- Drain the pasta, rinse under cold water, and set aside to cool.
- In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, cucumber, olives, basil, Parmesan, red onion, capers, and white wine.
- Whisk together lemon juice, Dijon mustard, olive oil, salt, and pepper to create a silky vinaigrette.
- Pour the dressing over the cooled pasta and toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld, then serve chilled.