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Crack Pasta Salad

Welcome to the delightful world of Crack Pasta Salad! If you're on the hunt for a vibrant, delicious, and easy-to-make dish that will impress your guests and satisfy your cravings, you've come to the right place. This pasta salad is not just a side dish; it’s a flavor explosion that combines colorful vegetables, creamy feta cheese, and a zesty Italian dressing that ties everything together beautifully.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 300

Ingredients
  

For the Crack Pasta Salad
  • 8 oz rotini pasta
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 cup cucumber diced
  • 1 cup bell pepper diced
  • 1/2 cup red onion finely chopped
  • 1 cup black olives sliced
  • 1 cup feta cheese crumbled
  • 1/2 cup Italian dressing
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and Pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Colander
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Small Bowl
  • Whisk
  • Chopping Board
  • Knife
  • Spoon or spatula

Method
 

  1. Step 1: Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of rotini pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  2. Step 2: Once the pasta is cooked, drain it using a colander. Rinse it under cold running water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta down.
  3. Step 3: While the pasta is cooling, chop your vegetables. Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber and bell pepper, and finely chop the red onion.
  4. Step 4: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, bell pepper, chopped red onion, sliced black olives, and crumbled feta cheese. Mix everything gently but thoroughly.
  5. Step 5: In a small bowl, whisk together the Italian dressing, garlic powder, dried oregano, and add salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Step 6: Pour the dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Toss everything together gently, ensuring that the dressing coats all the ingredients evenly.
  7. Step 7: Garnish your salad with freshly chopped parsley before serving.
  8. Step 8: For best results, refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

The salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. Just give it a gentle toss before serving again.