Vegetarian Rainbow Pasta Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-30 · Updated 2026-06-30

A bright and refreshing pasta salad featuring tri-color rotini, fresh veggies, and a zesty lemon vinaigrette that appeals to kids and adults alike. This Mediterranean-inspired salad recipe (vegetarian), ready in about 25 minutes, pairs tri-color rotini pasta, cherry tomatoes, halved, cucumber, diced into 1/4-inch pieces 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 320 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 tri-color rotini pasta
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup cucumber, diced into 1/4-inch pieces
• 1/2 cup shredded carrots
• 1/4 cup black olives, sliced
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tsp honey
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces tri-color 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 mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup diced cucumber, 1/2 cup shredded carrots, 1/4 cup sliced black olives, and 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley.
3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon honey, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper until the dressing emulsifies.
4. Step 4: Pour the lemon vinaigrette over the pasta and vegetables and toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
5. Step 5: Refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and serve chilled or at room temperature.