Memorial Park Picnic Pasta Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-22 · Updated 2026-05-22

A refreshing pasta salad featuring vibrant vegetables and a tangy citrus dressing perfect for outdoor gatherings. This Mediterranean-inspired salad recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 26 minutes, pairs rotini pasta, cherry tomatoes, 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 6, 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

• 12 oz rotini pasta
• 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
• 1 medium, diced into 1/2-inch cubes cucumber
• 1, diced into 1/2-inch pieces red bell pepper
• 1/4 cup, finely chopped red onion
• 1/3 cup, sliced black olives
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 3 tbsp fresh orange juice
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp honey
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

The chef’s knife we’d prep this with → Best Chef's Knives for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz rotini pasta and cook for 9-11 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool, then transfer to a large mixing bowl.
2. Step 2: Add 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1 diced medium cucumber (1/2-inch cubes), 1 diced red bell pepper (1/2-inch pieces), 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion, 1/3 cup sliced black olives, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley to the bowl with the pasta.
3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup olive oil, 3 tbsp fresh orange juice, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp honey, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until smooth and emulsified. Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss gently until everything is well coated. Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.