Description
Mediterranean-inspired Ditalini Pasta Salad brings zesty flavors together in one delightful dish, combining fresh herbs, crisp vegetables, and tangy feta cheese. Packed with protein and refreshing ingredients, you’ll enjoy this light yet satisfying meal perfect for summer gatherings or quick lunches.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ditalini pasta
- 1/2 tablespoon (7.5 milliliters) salt (for pasta water)
Vegetables:
- 1 red or green bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 cup (40 grams) diced red onion
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 1 cup (150 grams) English cucumber, diced
Dressing and Seasonings:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon (12.5 grams) sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon (1.5 grams) salt
- 1/4 teaspoon (0.5 grams) ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon (0.5 grams) garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon (0.5 grams) paprika
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a vigorous boil, seasoning with salt to elevate the pasta’s taste. Add ditalini pasta and cook until tender, stirring periodically to prevent clumping, following package instructions.
- Drain pasta in a colander and immediately rinse with cold water to halt cooking and remove excess starch. This technique ensures the pasta remains perfectly textured and doesn’t become sticky.
- Craft the dressing by whisking mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, red wine vinegar, sugar, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika in a medium bowl until smooth and fully integrated.
- Transfer cooled pasta to a spacious mixing bowl. Incorporate diced bell peppers, red onion, celery, and cucumber, gently mixing to distribute vegetables evenly throughout the pasta.
- Pour prepared dressing over the pasta-vegetable mixture, using a spatula to thoroughly coat each ingredient, ensuring every morsel is infused with the creamy, tangy dressing.
- Seal the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Chilling allows flavors to meld and intensify, transforming the salad into a refreshingly cool dish perfect for any gathering or summer meal.
Notes
- Swap mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or vegan alternatives for a lighter, healthier version that reduces calories and adds protein.
- Dice vegetables uniformly to ensure consistent texture and even distribution throughout the pasta salad.
- Allow salad to marinate for at least 30 minutes before serving to enhance flavor absorption and develop deeper taste profiles.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 410 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg