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!
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
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.
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
More pasta salad recipes:
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!
Tuscan Pasta Salad
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.
Jamie says
This was a nice option as it has been so hot. Very flavorful!
Anna says
I agree! Perfect on hot summer days! Thanks, Jamie!
Jacque Hooper says
Served this with dinner and it does not disappoint! Quick, easy and perfect for summer parties!
Katie says
This is seriously the perfect side. So much flavor and everyone always loves it!
April says
Yum!! This is perfect for a summer potluck!