Picnic Pasta Salad One Dish Meal

Transform your outdoor gatherings with this vibrant and hearty Picnic Pasta Salad One Dish Meal, a perfect blend of fresh veggies, tangy dressing, and optional protein for a satisfying, crowd-pleasing dish. Featuring al dente rotini pasta mixed with juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, sweet red bell peppers, and briny black olives, all tied together with a zesty homemade vinaigrette of olive oil, red wine vinegar, and Dijon mustard. A sprinkle of crumbled feta adds a creamy finish, while grilled chicken can be added for an extra protein boost, making this pasta salad a full-meal option. Ready in just 25 minutes and ideal for make-ahead meals, picnics, potlucks, or weeknight dinners, this chilled, flavor-packed dish is as versatile as it is delicious. Refrigerate for a perfect melding of Mediterranean-inspired flavors and serve up the ultimate no-fuss, one-dish meal!

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 oz rotini pasta
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes
• 1 large cucumber
• 1 medium red bell pepper
• 0.5 medium red onion
• 1 cup black olives
• 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• 0.25 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1 tsp dijon mustard
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 2 pieces grilled chicken breast, sliced (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rotini pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside to cool completely.

Step 2

While the pasta is cooking, prepare the vegetables. Slice the cherry tomatoes in half, dice the cucumber into bite-sized pieces, chop the red bell pepper, and finely slice the red onion.

Step 3

If using black olives, slice them into halves or leave them whole based on preference.

Step 4

Prepare the dressing by whisking together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, dijon mustard, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl.

Step 5

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, black olives, and crumbled feta cheese.

Step 6

Pour the dressing over the ingredients in the mixing bowl and toss to coat everything evenly.

Step 7

If adding grilled chicken, slice the chicken breast into thin pieces and mix it into the salad.

Step 8

Cover and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve cold or at room temperature as a complete meal.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1902.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3111.8

Total Fat 138.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 47.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.0g
Cholesterol 370.0mg	0%
Sodium 4997.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 320.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 24.3g	0%
Total Sugars 37.9g
Protein 147.6g	0%

Vitamin D 10IU	0%
Calcium 1534.3mg	0%
Iron 27.4mg	0%
Potassium 3196.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 40.0%

Protein: 18.9%

Carbs: 41.0%