Easy Pasta Salad

Easy Pasta Salad
  • PREP TIME
    10 mins
  • COOK TIME
    10 mins
  • TOTAL TIME
    20 mins
  • SERVING
    8 People
  • VIEWS
    58

A vibrant and refreshing pasta salad featuring tender penne, bright broccoli florets, sweet red bell pepper, and marinated artichoke hearts, all tossed in a light, flavorful dressing. Perfect as a quick lunch, a side dish for dinner, or a delightful addition to any picnic or potluck.

Ingridients

Adjust Servings

Nutrition

  • Carbohydrate
    47 g
  • Cholesterol
    2 mg
  • Fiber
    4 g
  • Protein
    11 g
  • Saturated Fat
    1 g
  • Sodium
    139 mg
  • Sugar
    3 g
  • Fat
    3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat
    0 g

Follow The Directions

01

Step
5 mins

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. (5 minutes)

02

Step
8 mins

Add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions, about 8 minutes, or until al dente.

03

Step
2 mins

In the last 2 minutes of cooking the pasta, add the broccoli florets to the pot. This will lightly cook the broccoli, keeping it crisp-tender.

04

Step
2 mins

Drain the pasta and broccoli immediately and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Drain well and transfer to a large bowl. (2 minutes)

05

Step
5 mins

While the pasta is cooking, prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the reserved artichoke marinade, olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes (if using). Season with salt and pepper to taste. (5 minutes)

06

Step
2 mins

Add the julienned red bell pepper and marinated artichoke hearts to the bowl with the pasta and broccoli. (2 minutes)

07

Step
1 mins

Pour the prepared dressing over the pasta mixture. (1 minutes)

08

Step
1 mins

Add the grated Parmesan cheese to the bowl. (1 minutes)

09

Step
2 mins

Gently toss all ingredients together until well combined and the pasta is evenly coated with the dressing. (2 minutes)

10

Step
1 mins

Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Add more salt, pepper, or Parmesan cheese to your liking. (1 minutes)

11

Step
30 mins

Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for later. The flavors will meld and intensify as it sits. (30 minutes)

For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding grilled chicken, shrimp, or Italian sausage to the salad.
Other vegetables, such as cherry tomatoes, black olives, or sun-dried tomatoes, can also be added to customize the salad to your preferences.
If you don't have marinated artichoke hearts, you can use plain artichoke hearts and add a splash of lemon juice or balsamic vinegar to the dressing for extra tang.
This pasta salad is best served cold or at room temperature. It can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Alessandra Blanda

Written by

Our recipe authors are passionate food lovers who share thousands of diverse dishes from around the world. They bring daily cooking inspiration with delicious, easy-to-make recipes for every occasion.

RECIPE REVIEWS

Avarage Rating: 4.0/ 5 ( 19 Ratings)
Total Reviews: (8)
  • Vidal Moen

    My kids even loved it, and they are picky eaters!

  • Leanne Kuhicgorczany

    I substituted gluten-free pasta and it worked great!

  • Zita Larson

    This is my go-to recipe for potlucks! It's always a hit.

  • Eveline Hettinger

    I added some grilled chicken and it was a complete meal.

  • Lilly Dickinson

    I love the combination of flavors and textures in this salad.

  • Jamel Murray

    Definitely making this again!

  • Ariel Durgan

    The marinade from the artichoke hearts makes the perfect dressing.

  • Dagmar Nienow

    So easy and quick to make, perfect for a weeknight dinner.

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