Mini Veggie-Packed Pasta Salad Cups

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

Colorful mini pasta salad cups packed with fresh veggies and a light Italian dressing, perfect for kids’ lunches or party snacks. This Italian-inspired kid-friendly recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 23 minutes, pairs mini shell pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 210 calories and feeds 6, 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 8 min Serves 6 Italian cuisine 210 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Chef’s knives that make the prep fast → Best Chef's Knives for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 2 cups mini shell pasta and cook for 8 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
  2. Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta with 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1/2 diced cucumber, 1/2 cup shredded carrots, 1/4 cup sliced black olives, 1/2 cup mozzarella pearls, and 2 tbsp finely diced red onion.
  3. Step 3: Pour 1/3 cup Italian dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
  4. Step 4: Fold in 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil leaves for brightness.
  5. Step 5: Spoon the pasta salad into small cups or bowls and chill for 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.

Related recipes