Kid-Friendly Rainbow Veggie Pasta Salad

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-06 · Updated 2026-06-06

A colorful and crunchy pasta salad packed with fresh vegetables and a tangy lemon dressing that kids love. This mediterranean-inspired kid friendly (vegetarian) ready in about 25 minutes pairs rotini pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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 cup, diced cucumber
• 1/2 cup, diced red bell pepper
• 1/2 cup, shredded baby carrots
• 1/4 cup, sliced black olives
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
• 3 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp honey
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz rotini pasta and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1 cup diced cucumber, 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper, 1/2 cup shredded baby carrots, 1/4 cup sliced black olives, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley.
3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp honey, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until well combined and slightly thickened.
4. Step 4: Add the cooled pasta to the vegetable mixture, pour the lemon dressing over, and toss gently until everything is evenly coated. Chill for 30 minutes before serving for the flavors to meld.