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Pasta Salad Cups

Vibrant Pasta Salad Cups for Easy, No-Fuss Entertaining

These Pasta Salad Cups are a colorful, portable option perfect for any celebration, blending convenience with a refreshing twist on party fare.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chilling Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 cups
Course: Salads
Cuisine: International
Calories: 250

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 8 oz Rotini Pasta Feel free to substitute with your favorite pasta shape.
  • 1 cup Cucumbers Can substitute with bell peppers.
  • 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes Grape tomatoes or diced regular tomatoes work well too.
  • 1/2 cup Olives Choose black or green olives based on your liking.
  • 1/4 cup Parsley Consider basil or cilantro for a different flavor.
For the Dressing
  • 1/2 cup Italian Dressing Greek vinaigrette or homemade lemon herb dressing makes a great alternative.

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Mixing bowl
  • Spatula or spoon

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Once cooked, drain the pasta thoroughly and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process.
  2. Dice the cucumbers into small, bite-sized pieces. Halve the cherry tomatoes and slice the olives. Finely chop the parsley.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled rotini pasta with the chopped cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, olives, and parsley. Drizzle the Italian dressing over the ingredients and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
  4. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
  5. Fill clear plastic or glass cups with portions of the pasta salad mixture, creating a colorful layer of ingredients.
  6. Refrigerate the filled cups for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve cold.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 6gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 1.5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gSodium: 300mgPotassium: 420mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 700IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 1.5mg

Notes

Keep your Pasta Salad Cups refrigerated for up to 3 days. They can be prepared a day in advance and are best enjoyed cold. No reheating needed.

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