Walmart Pasta Salad Recipe
Explore our Walmart pasta salad recipe – a burst of flavors in minutes! Fresh ingredients, easy steps – your go-to guide for a delightful culinary experience.
- Publisher: Recipe Volt
- Cuisine: Italian
- Category: Salad
- Prep Time:
- Cook Time:
- Servings: 6
- Calories: 350 calories
Walmart Pasta Salad
Walmart's pasta salad offers a convenient and tasty solution for those seeking a quick and delightful meal or side dish. With an array of fresh and affordable ingredients available at your fingertips, creating a flavorful pasta salad is a breeze.
One popular recipe involves a harmonious blend of rotini pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, black olives, red onion, feta cheese, and fresh basil.
The preparation is straightforward, requiring just 15 minutes, while the pasta cooks in about 10 minutes. The total time investment is a mere 25 minutes, making it an ideal choice for busy individuals or those looking for a swift yet satisfying culinary experience. This pasta salad recipe yields approximately six servings, making it suitable for family gatherings, picnics, or potluck events.
The salad's appeal extends beyond its simplicity; it embodies the essence of Italian cuisine with its vibrant colors and diverse textures. The combination of juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, briny black olives, and the richness of feta cheese creates a medley of flavors that tantalize the taste buds.
The dressing, a blend of extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper, elevates the dish, providing a perfect balance of tanginess and savory notes.
Whether enjoyed as a standalone meal or paired with grilled proteins, this Walmart pasta salad brings a touch of Mediterranean flair to your table. Plus, with each serving clocking in at around 350 calories, it strikes a balance between delicious and health-conscious eating.
So, the next time you're at Walmart, consider grabbing the ingredients for this pasta salad to whip up a delightful dish that's sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Recipe
Embark on a culinary journey with our Walmart Pasta Salad recipe! Discover the art of flavors in this quick, vibrant, and utterly delicious dish. Let's dive in!
Ingredients
- 1 pound rotini or your preferred pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
For the Dressing:
- 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Method Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Once done, rinse it under cold water and let it cool.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, black olives, red onion, feta cheese, and fresh basil.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper to create the dressing.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss until everything is well coated.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld together.
This pasta salad is not only easy to make but also incredibly flavorful. It's a hit at picnics and potlucks. Enjoy!
Recipe Video
This is a video about Walmart Pasta Salad.
Rated: 4.9 of 5.0 from 56 reviews.
Recipe Tags: Walmart Pasta Salad, Walmart Pasta Salad Recipe, Recipe
Servings
Serving Walmart pasta salad is a delightful experience, and there are a few ways you can make it even more enjoyable for yourself and your guests. Here are some tips:
- Chilled and Refreshing: Ensure that the pasta salad is well-chilled before serving. The cool temperature enhances the flavors and makes it a refreshing choice, especially during warmer seasons.
- Garnish for Appeal: Just before serving, you can add a final touch by garnishing the pasta salad with a sprinkle of fresh basil or additional crumbled feta cheese. This not only adds visual appeal but also a burst of extra flavor.
- Pairing Possibilities: Walmart pasta salad is versatile and pairs well with various dishes. Serve it as a standalone side dish alongside grilled chicken, salmon, or even a summer barbecue. It's also a great accompaniment to sandwiches or as part of a buffet spread.
- On-the-Go Convenience: If you're planning a picnic or a day outdoors, pack the pasta salad in individual containers for a convenient and mess-free serving. It makes for an excellent picnic dish due to its easy portability.
Tips
- Fresh Ingredients: Opt for the freshest produce available. Crisp cucumbers, juicy cherry tomatoes, and fragrant basil will elevate the overall taste and texture of the salad.
- Pasta Texture: Cook the pasta al dente, meaning it should be tender but still have a slight firmness when bitten. This ensures the pasta holds up well in the salad and doesn't become mushy.
- Customize to Taste: Feel free to customize the recipe based on your preferences. Add more or less of any ingredient, or even throw in extras like grilled chicken or artichoke hearts to make it your own.
- Dressing Distribution: Ensure even distribution of the dressing by tossing the salad thoroughly. This ensures every bite is infused with the flavorful dressing.
- Chill Time: Allow the pasta salad to chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together, enhancing the overall taste.
- Make Ahead: This pasta salad can be made ahead of time, making it a convenient option for gatherings. However, if preparing in advance, hold off on adding delicate ingredients like tomatoes and basil until just before serving to maintain their freshness.
- Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The pasta salad can be enjoyed for a day or two, though it's best when consumed fresh.
- Experiment with Cheese: While feta cheese is a great choice, you can experiment with other cheeses like mozzarella or Parmesan for different flavor profiles.
- Balance Flavors: Taste as you go. Adjust the salt, pepper, and other seasonings to achieve the perfect balance of flavors for your palate.
- Presentation Matters: If you're serving the pasta salad at a gathering, consider using a decorative bowl or platter. A visually appealing presentation can enhance the overall dining experience.
Ingredient Substitutes
So, if you need to make substitutions for the Walmart pasta salad recipe based on preferences or ingredient availability, here are some options.
- Pasta: While rotini works well, you can substitute it with other pasta shapes like fusilli, penne, or bowtie pasta. Opt for whole wheat or gluten-free pasta if you have dietary restrictions.
- Vegetables: Feel free to customize the vegetable mix. If you're not a fan of olives, you can substitute them with capers or omit them altogether. Additionally, consider adding bell peppers, cherry peppers, or artichoke hearts for variety.
- Cheese: If feta isn't your favorite, try substituting it with goat cheese, mozzarella, or Parmesan. Each cheese brings its unique flavor to the dish.
- Herbs: Basil adds a fresh kick, but you can experiment with other herbs like parsley, oregano, or thyme based on your taste preferences.
- Dressing: The dressing is versatile, so you can tweak it to your liking. Consider using balsamic vinegar instead of red wine vinegar for a slightly different flavor. You can also add a teaspoon of honey or maple syrup for a touch of sweetness.
- Protein: If you want to make the salad a complete meal, add protein. Grilled chicken, shrimp, or even chickpeas are excellent choices.
- Cucumber: If you're not a fan of cucumber, consider substituting it with zucchini for a similar crisp texture.
- Tomatoes: Experiment with different tomato varieties. Cherry tomatoes can be replaced with grape tomatoes or diced Roma tomatoes.
Remarks
Create memorable moments with our Walmart Pasta Salad recipe. From our kitchen to yours, here's to delicious gatherings and happy, satisfied taste buds!
