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    You are here: Crunchy Creamy Sweet / Salad / Tuscan Pasta Salad

    Tuscan Pasta Salad

    Published: Jun 16, 2021 by Anna 5 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    This Tuscan Pasta Salad brings the Italian flavors together with simple ingredients. Pasta cooked al dente, colorful vegetables, and simple vinaigrette make this salad a perfect dish when you need something easy, quick, and delicious!

    Serve this salad with grilled chicken or air-fried salmon for an easy meal. It can also be divided into serving for lunch through out the week!

    Pasta salad in a white bowl.

    Tuscan Pasta Salad

    Perfect dish for hot summer days when you don't feel like cooking! You can eat it while the pasta is still slightly warm or chill it in the fridge and enjoy cold. Either way, this dish is quick, easy and everyone is a fan!

    Tuscan flavors shine brightly here, thanks to sun-dried tomatoes, olives, peppers, and spinach. A generous amount of freshly grated Parmesan cheese is a must.

    Ingredients:

    • pasta: I like farfalle (aka bow tie) but penne or other bite-size pasta works
    • spinach: fresh, torn
    • olives: I used black kalamata but any you like work here
    • sun-dried tomatoes: in oil, or the salad topper kind
    • peppers: I used the mini sweet peppers
    • cheese: freshly grated Parmesan
    • dressing: I used my homemade Italian dressing
    Ingredients for Tuscan pasta salad on a marble board.

    How to make Tuscan Pasta Salad?

    • Start by bringing a pot of water to a boil. Add salt and stir.
    • Add pasta to water and cook until al dente, meaning it still has some firmness.
    • Drain and rinse with cool water. Place pasta in a large mixing bowl.
    • Add sliced olives, torn spinach, chopped sun-dried tomatoes and peppers.
    • Make dressing and drizzle over pasta salad.
    • Serve.
    All ingredients in a bowl.

    Can I make a creamy dressing?

    Absolutely! You can use my recipe for the creamy dressing in BLT Pasta Salad recipe, just skip the ranch dressing and add garlic powder and Italian seasoning.

    How long will homemade pasta salad last?

    If refrigerated, pasta salad should last for up to 3 days. Stir everything together before serving.

    Variations:

    • pasta: use tortellini, penne, or any other bite-size pasta you like
    • protein: add cooked, diced chicken, ham, or even pepperoni
    • crunch: add croutons or toasted bread crumbs as a crunchy topping
    Pasta salad with cheese, in a bowl.

    More pasta salad recipes:

    • BLT Pasta Salad
    • Pesto Pasta Salad
    • Italian Pasta Salad with Pepperoni

    For more recipes like this one, feel free to browse our Salad category.

    If you like this recipe and make it, snap a photo and share it on INSTAGRAM! Tag me @crunchycreamysweet so I can check it out and leave a comment!

    Pasta salad in a white bowl.

    Tuscan Pasta Salad

    Author: Anna
    This Tuscan Pasta Salad brings the Italian flavors together with simple ingredients. Pasta cooked al dente, colorful vegetables, and simple vinaigrette make this salad a perfect dish when you need something easy, quick, and delicious!
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Salad
    Cuisine American, Italian
    Servings 4 servings
    Calories 482 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    for the pasta salad:

    • 8 ounces farfalle pasta or 4 cups
    • 2 cups fresh spinach loosely packed
    • 1 cup olives
    • ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes
    • 1 cup chopped sweet red peppers
    • ½ cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated

    for the dressing:

    • ¼ cup olive oil
    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
    • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
    • ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

    Instructions
     

    • Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add salt and stir.
    • Chop peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, slice olives and tear the spinach.
    • Add pasta to water and cook until al dente, meaning it still has some firmness.
    • Drain and rinse with cool water. Place pasta in a large mixing bowl.
    • Add prepared vegetables and Parmesan cheese. Stir together.
    • Mix all dressing ingredients in a jar or measuring cup and drizzle over pasta salad.
    • Serve.

    Notes

    • Use tortellini, penne, or any other bite-size pasta you like.
    • If refrigerated, pasta salad should last for up to 3 days. Stir everything together before serving.
    • Total time is an estimate.
    • Please note, that the nutrition value can vary depending on what product you use. The information below is an estimate. Always use calorie counter you are familiar with.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 482kcal | Carbohydrates: 55g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 1067mg | Potassium: 801mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 2931IU | Vitamin C: 60mg | Calcium: 217mg | Iron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment with rating below!

    More Salad Recipes

    • Chickpea Quinoa Salad
    • Olive Garden Salad Dressing
    • Homemade Ranch Dressing and Dip
    • Leftover Turkey Salad

    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Jamie says

      July 10, 2021 at 10:07 am

      5 stars
      This was a nice option as it has been so hot. Very flavorful!

      Reply
      • Anna says

        July 18, 2021 at 10:54 pm

        I agree! Perfect on hot summer days! Thanks, Jamie!

        Reply
    2. Jacque Hooper says

      June 16, 2021 at 3:48 pm

      5 stars
      Served this with dinner and it does not disappoint! Quick, easy and perfect for summer parties!

      Reply
    3. Katie says

      June 16, 2021 at 2:37 pm

      5 stars
      This is seriously the perfect side. So much flavor and everyone always loves it!

      Reply
    4. April says

      June 16, 2021 at 2:14 pm

      5 stars
      Yum!! This is perfect for a summer potluck!

      Reply

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    Crunchy Creamy Sweet Anna

    Hi, I'm Anna! Thank you for stopping by! Here you will find easy and delicious recipes for busy people. My recipes are made with everyday ingredients and all of them are family approved!

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