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You are here: Crunchy Creamy Sweet / Recipes / Salad

Tuscan Pasta Salad

Published: Jun 16, 2021 by Anna 5 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

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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.

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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 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 20 minutes mins
Course Salad
Cuisine American, Italian
Servings 4 servings
Calories 482 kcal
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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.
    1 cup olives, ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, 1 cup chopped sweet red peppers, 2 cups fresh spinach
  • Add pasta to water and cook until al dente, meaning it still has some firmness.
    8 ounces farfalle pasta
  • Drain and rinse with cool water. Place pasta in a large mixing bowl.
  • Add prepared vegetables and Parmesan cheese. Stir together.
    ½ cup Parmesan cheese
  • Mix all dressing ingredients in a jar or measuring cup and drizzle over pasta salad.
    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
  • 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!

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Comments

    5 from 4 votes

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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
Profile photo of the author of Crunchy Creamy Sweet website.

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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