Back-to-School Pasta Salad

In today's fast-paced world, easy-to-prepare meals are essential, especially for busy families and students. Enter the Schoolyard Crunch Pasta Salad—a delightful blend of flavors and textures that is not only nutritious but also visually appealing. This vibrant dish is perfect for back-to-school lunches, outdoor picnics, or family gatherings, and it brings a refreshing twist to the classic pasta salad. The Schoolyard Crunch Pasta Salad is versatile, allowing you to tailor it to suit various tastes and dietary needs, making it a must-have in your culinary repertoire.

Discover the delicious Schoolyard Crunch Pasta Salad, a colorful and nutritious dish perfect for busy families and students. This easy-to-make salad features rotini or penne pasta combined with fresh veggies like cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers, all tossed in a tangy balsamic vinaigrette. Add protein options like chicken or chickpeas for a filling meal. Ideal for lunches, potlucks, or picnics, this vibrant salad is a delightful way to enjoy wholesome ingredients while pleasing everyone’s taste buds.

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Ingredients

2 cups pasta (rotini or penne works well)

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

1 cup cucumber, diced

½ cup bell pepper, diced (red or yellow)

½ cup diced red onion

1 cup sweet corn (canned or frozen)

1 cup cooked chicken (shredded or cubed, optional for protein)

½ cup black olives, sliced

¼ cup feta cheese, crumbled

½ cup balsamic vinaigrette dressing

2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Cook the Pasta: Start by boiling a large pot of salted water. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool it down.

Prep the Veggies: While the pasta cooks, prepare your veggies. Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber and bell pepper, and finely chop the red onion. Set these aside in a large mixing bowl.

Combine Ingredients: Into the bowl with the veggies, add the sweet corn, black olives, and cooked chicken if using. Then, add the cooled pasta and crumble the feta cheese on top.

Dress the Salad: Drizzle the balsamic vinaigrette over the salad and gently toss everything together until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Chill: Cover the salad with plastic wrap or a lid and place it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.

Serve: Before serving, give the pasta salad a final toss and sprinkle with fresh parsley for a pop of color. Enjoy this deliciously refreshing salad as a perfect back-to-school meal!

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes | Servings: 6