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Crack Pasta Salad Recipe (Delicious and Refreshing!)

Crack Pasta Salad

Welcome to the world of Crack Pasta Salad! This vibrant and flavorful dish is perfect for any occasion, from summer barbecues to potlucks and everything in between. With its colorful medley of fresh vegetables, hearty pasta, and zesty dressing, this salad is not only visually appealing but also incredibly satisfying.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Mediterranean
Calories: 300
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Vegetables
  • 8 oz pasta your choice
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 cup cucumber diced
  • 1 cup bell pepper diced
  • 1 cup black olives sliced
  • 1/2 cup red onion finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese crumbled
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • to taste salt and pepper

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Colander
  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Whisk
  • Cutting Board
  • Knife
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons
  • Serving Spoon

Method
 

  1. Step 1: Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your choice of pasta (8 ounces) and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Generally, this takes about 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  2. Step 2: Once the pasta is cooked, drain it in a colander and rinse under cold water. This stops the cooking process and helps cool the pasta quickly. Set aside to allow excess water to drain off.
  3. Step 3: While the pasta is cooking, wash and chop your vegetables. Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber and bell pepper, slice the black olives, and finely chop the red onion. Place all the prepared vegetables in a large mixing bowl.
  4. Step 4: Once the pasta has cooled, add it to the bowl with the vegetables. Crumble the feta cheese on top and sprinkle with fresh parsley.
  5. Step 5: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the olive oil (1/4 cup), red wine vinegar (2 tablespoons), garlic powder (1 teaspoon), Italian seasoning (1 teaspoon), and salt and pepper to taste. Make sure all ingredients are well combined.
  6. Step 6: Pour the dressing over the pasta salad mixture in the large bowl. Using a serving spoon, gently toss everything together until all the ingredients are evenly coated in the dressing.
  7. Step 7: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
  8. Step 8: After chilling, give the salad a quick toss before serving. It can be served as a side dish or a main course.

Notes

This salad can be made in advance! It tastes even better after chilling in the refrigerator, as the flavors meld together beautifully.