Best 3 Zesty Rotini Salad Recipes

When the weather gets warm, families look for easy and light dinner ideas. One great option is the zesty rotini salad, packed with fresh vegetables, herbs, and a tangy dressing featuring lemon or vinegar. Along with the main ingredients, there are many ways to enhance this dish by adding extra elements like grilled chicken, shrimp or tuna, creating a main course salad. It is a versatile dish that can be customized to suit individual tastes and preferences.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

ZESTY FETA AND VEGETABLE ROTINI SALAD

Zesty Feta and Vegetable Rotini Salad image

If pasta salads are a favorite, you'll want to try this Healthy Living recipe the next time you make one! It's as tasty as it is fabulously colorful.

Provided by My Food and Family

Categories Pasta

Time 1h30m

Yield 8 servings, about 1 cup each

Number Of Ingredients 7

Ingredients

3 cups tri-colored rotini pasta, cooked, cooled
1 cup ATHENOS Traditional Crumbled Feta Cheese
1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
1 cup chopped cucumbers
1/2 cup sliced black olives
1/2 cup KRAFT Zesty Italian Dressing
1/4 cup finely chopped red onions

Steps:

Combine ingredients.
Refrigerate 1 hour.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 150, Fat 3.5 g, SaturatedFat 0.5 g, TransFat 0 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Sodium 230 mg, Carbohydrate 0 g, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 0 g, Protein 5 g

ZESTY ROTINI PASTA SALAD

Zesty Rotini Pasta Salad image

This is the perfect dish to serve with dinner at home. It's also great for potlucks and picnics.

Provided by Debby Mayne

Categories Salads

Time 15m

Number Of Ingredients 5

Ingredients

2 cups of cooked rotini pasta (regular or gluten-free)
1 cup of chopped raw spinach
1/2 cup of chopped tomatoes
1/2 cup of Italian dressing (your favorite style)
Approximately 1/2 teaspoon of lemon zest (more or less to taste)

Steps:

Cook the pasta according to the directions on the box. Rinse with cold water and drain. Pour into a medium-size mixing bowl.
Add chopped spinach and tomatoes. Mix well.
Pour the Italian dressing over the salad. Zest the lemon into the salad. Stir.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 221 calories, Carbohydrate 33 grams carbohydrates, Cholesterol 0 milligrams cholesterol, Fat 7 grams fat, Fiber 2 grams fiber, Protein 6 grams protein, SaturatedFat 1 grams saturated fat, ServingSize 1, Sodium 300 milligrams sodium, Sugar 4 grams sugar, TransFat 0 grams trans fat, UnsaturatedFat 5 grams unsaturated fat

ZESTY ROTINI SALAD

Zesty Rotini Salad image

The key word in this recipe is ZESTY! Serves well with any kind of meal, or by itself as a salad for lunch. I add cottage cheese on the side of the dish. Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top is a nice addition, as well. Add zesty Italian salad dressing to taste. For large amounts, don't be surprised if you use an entire large bottle!

Provided by Blondie Bumstead

Categories Vegetarian Pasta Salad

Time 25m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

1 (12 ounce) package rotini pasta
3 carrots, peeled and diced
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 green onions, chopped
½ purple onion, diced
1 pound broccoli, cut into florets
1 large tomato, diced
3 stalks celery, diced
½ cup crumbled feta cheese
1 cup zesty Italian dressing

Steps:

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Place pasta in the pot and cook 8 to 10 minutes, until al dente. Drain and rinse in cold water.
In a large bowl, mix cooked, cooled rotini with the carrots, red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, green bell pepper, green onions, purple onion, broccoli, tomato, and celery. Sprinkle with feta cheese and toss with Italian dressing to serve

Nutrition Facts : Calories 426 calories, Carbohydrate 51.5 g, Cholesterol 18.7 mg, Fat 20.4 g, Fiber 7.9 g, Protein 13.6 g, SaturatedFat 5 g, Sodium 971.5 mg, Sugar 8.2 g

Tips:

Prep Your Veggies: Before you start cooking, wash and chop all your vegetables. This will save you time and hassle later on.
Use Fresh Herbs: Fresh herbs add a lot of flavor to this salad. If you have them on hand, use fresh basil, parsley, or oregano.
Don't Overcook the Pasta: Rotini is a delicate pasta, so it's important not to overcook it. Cook it according to the package directions, or until it's al dente (slightly firm to the bite).
Let the Salad Cool: Before you add the dressing, let the salad cool slightly. This will help the dressing to adhere to the pasta and vegetables.
Use a Good Quality Dressing: A good quality dressing will make all the difference in this salad. You can use a store-bought dressing, or make your own. There are many recipes available online.

Conclusion:

This zesty rotini salad is a delicious and refreshing dish that's perfect for a summer picnic or potluck. It's also a great way to use up leftover vegetables. With its colorful ingredients and zesty dressing, this salad is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it.