Fun-Flavored Rainbow Pasta Salad

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-07 · Updated 2026-04-07

A colorful, zesty pasta salad featuring vibrant bell peppers and a bright lemon-herb dressing that’s perfect for summer picnics or potlucks. This mediterranean-inspired salads (vegetarian) ready in about 30 minutes pairs rotini pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber into a side that holds its own next to almost any main — bright, balanced, and quick enough to slot into a weeknight plate. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly next to roasted proteins, grain bowls, or weeknight mains. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 8 oz rotini pasta
• 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 cup, diced cucumber
• 1/4 cup, diced red bell pepper
• 1/4 cup, diced yellow bell pepper
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 clove, minced garlic
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Cook 8 oz rotini pasta according to package directions until al dente, then drain and rinse under cold water to cool completely.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup diced cucumber, 1/4 cup diced red bell pepper, and 1/4 cup diced yellow bell pepper.
3. Step 3: Whisk 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 minced garlic clove, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper until well blended.
4. Step 4: Add the cooled pasta to the bowl with the vegetables, then pour the dressing over and toss until everything is evenly coated and the vegetables are glistening.