Quick and Easy Pasta Salad Recipe

Name: Quick and Easy Pasta Salad Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: Pasta: 250g (about 2 cups of your favorite short pasta (e.g., penne, fusilli, or farfalle)); Arugula (Rocket Salad: 2 cups, loosely packed); Tomato: 1 large tomato (diced (or 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved)); Mozzarella: 125g (about 1 cup fresh mozzarella, cubed); Corn: 1/2 cup (can be fresh, canned, or frozen); Gherkins: 4-5 small gherkins (sliced); Kidney Beans: 1/2 cup (drained and rinsed (or 1 small can)); Chicken Breast: 1 medium chicken breast (about 200g, cooked and cubed); Pesto Rosso: 2-3 tablespoons; Parmesan Cheese: 2 tablespoons (grated); Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons; Lemon Juice: 1 tablespoon (freshly squeezed); Fresh Basil: 1 tablespoon (chopped); Salt: 1/2 teaspoon (or to taste); Spices

Sweet Family Meals

27 April 2025

A bowl of Quick and Easy Pasta Salad Recipe

30 mins

super easy

Main Dish

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Quick and Easy Pasta Salad Recipe

I’ve made this easy pasta salad recipe more times than I can count, and it never disappoints. It’s loaded with fresh, colorful vegetables, savory olives, creamy mozzarella, and plenty of herbs for extra flavor. A simple homemade dressing brings everything together and makes every bite taste amazing. This pasta salad is perfect for picnics, potlucks, BBQs, or a quick and healthy lunch. It’s fresh, flavorful, and so easy to make, once you try it, you’ll want to make it again and again!

So, if all that sounds good to you, read on!

Pasta salad has always been one of my favorite quick meals, especially when I’m craving something fresh, filling, and easy to make. This Easy Pasta Salad is packed with so many delicious ingredients, tender pasta, peppery arugula (rocket salad), juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, sweet corn, crunchy gherkins, hearty kidney beans, flavorful chicken breast. Every bite is full of color, texture, and flavor!

To bring it all together, I toss everything in a simple, vibrant dressing made with Pesto Rosso, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, lemon juice, fresh basil, and a touch of salt. It’s so quick to mix up, but it tastes absolutely amazing, just like my Healthy Chicken Salad.

If you love recipes like this, you might also enjoy my Crispy Zucchini Skewers or Three Cheese Zucchini Rollatini, perfect for using up all those fresh veggies.

This pasta salad is ideal for busy weekdays, meal prepping, picnics, or summer BBQs. It’s healthy, satisfying, and guaranteed to have everyone asking for seconds. I can’t wait for you to try it!

Ingredients in Pasta Salad Recipe

Here’s what you need to make Pasta Salad Recipe:

Pasta: Use short pasta like fusilli, penne, or farfalle — they hold the dressing and mix-ins really well.

Arugula (Rocket Salad): Adds a fresh, peppery bite. Baby arugula works best for a tender texture.

Tomato: Choose ripe, juicy tomatoes for the best flavor. Cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes are perfect too.

Mozzarella: Fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini) or a block cut into cubes give the salad a creamy, rich bite.

Corn: Use canned, frozen (thawed), or fresh grilled corn for a sweet pop of flavor.

Gherkins: These add a tangy crunch, slice them thinly for even distribution.

Kidney Beans: Rinse and drain canned kidney beans for a hearty, protein-packed addition.

Chicken Breast: Cooked and shredded or cubed. Grilled chicken gives it extra smoky flavor!

For the Dressing:

Pesto Rosso: Use 2–3 tablespoons. This sun-dried tomato pesto brings bold, savory flavor.

Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan gives the dressing extra richness.

Olive Oil: A good-quality extra virgin olive oil makes a big difference in taste.

Lemon Juice: Fresh-squeezed for a bright, zesty lift.

Salt: Season to taste, a little brings all the flavors together beautifully.

How to make Pasta Salad Recipe

Step 1: Cook the pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside to cool slightly.

Step 2: Prepare the chicken
While the pasta is cooking, cut the chicken breast into small cubes. Heat a little oil in a pan over medium heat and sauté the chicken until it’s fully cooked and golden brown. Set aside.

Step 3: Make the dressing
In a small bowl, mix together the Pesto Rosso, grated Parmesan cheese, olive oil, lemon juice, herbs of provence, and a pinch of salt. Stir well until the dressing is smooth and creamy.

Step 4: Combine everything
In a large mixing bowl, add the cooked pasta, sautéed chicken, arugula, diced tomatoes, mozzarella, corn, sliced gherkins and kidney beans. Pour the dressing over the top and toss everything gently until well combined.

Step 5: Serve and enjoy
Serve immediately or chill in the fridge for 20–30 minutes before serving for an even fresher taste. Enjoy your easy and delicious pasta salad!

So, my dears, that’s all there is to it! This Easy Pasta Salad is quick, delicious, and perfect for any occasion. It’s sure to bring smiles to everyone’s face, and I bet it’ll become a favorite in your kitchen. I hope you enjoy making it and savoring every bite!

I’d love to know what you think if you give this a try! 🙂 – Angie

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