Go Back
An eye-level shot of a vibrant, easy cold pasta salad served in a large clear glass bowl. This simple and colorful dish features tri-color rotini pasta (yellow, green, and red) tossed with crisp cucumber slices, halved cherry tomatoes, and savory black olives.

Easy Cold Pasta Salad

This easy cold pasta salad is a fresh, colorful, make-ahead side dish with tender rotini, crisp cucumbers, juicy cherry tomatoes, black olives, onion, and a tangy Italian-style dressing. It is perfect for potlucks, brunches, cookouts, and quick family meals.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 297
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta Salad
  • 14 oz uncooked rotini pasta
  • 2 cucumbers chopped
  • 3/4 cup pitted black olives sliced
  • 1/2 onion finely chopped
  • 10 cherry tomatoes quartered
  • 1 cup Italian-style salad dressing use your favorite store-bought or homemade dressing

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Colander
  • Large mixing bowl
  • cutting board
  • knife
  • Measuring cup

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the rotini and cook until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes or according to package directions.
  2. Drain the pasta in a colander, then rinse under cold running water until cooled. Drain well so the salad does not become watery.
  3. Add the cooled pasta, chopped cucumbers, sliced black olives, finely chopped onion, and quartered cherry tomatoes to a large mixing bowl.
  4. Pour the Italian-style dressing over the salad and toss until everything is evenly coated.
  5. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving so the flavors can chill and blend.

Notes

For the best texture, rinse the cooked pasta with cold water and drain it thoroughly before mixing.
This salad can be made ahead and chilled until ready to serve. Toss again before serving, and add a splash of extra dressing if the pasta absorbs too much dressing while resting.
For extra color and crunch, add diced bell peppers, chopped parsley, or small mozzarella pearls.