Go Back
easy cold pasta salad recipe

Asian-Inspired Easy Cold Pasta Salad Recipe | 7-Ingredients Only

For those warm, sunny-days we all love, this Asian-inspired easy cold pasta salad recipe is your perfect companion using only 7 key ingredients! Brightly colored with nutritious vegetables, this cold pasta will totally pair with any main dish. Easy, simple, and done in under 20-minutes!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time:10 minutes
Cook Time:10 minutes
Total Time:20 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: easy cold pasta salad recipe
Servings: 8

Ingredients

  • 12 ounces tri-color rotini pasta
  • 1½ cups cherry tomatoes halved
  • 12 ounces broccoli florets roughly chopped
  • ½ red onion sliced in rings
  • ⅓ cup olive oil plus more for seasoning
  • ⅓ cup rice vinegar
  • juice from ½ a lemon
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta according to the package directions. While the pasta is cooking, cook the broccoli florets. See note below on cooking the broccoli.
  • In a measuring cup, mix together the olive oil, rice vinegar, lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
  • In a large serving bowl, toss together the cherry tomatoes, broccoli florets, and red onions.
  • Once the pasta is done cooking, add the rotini pasta to the large serving bowl with the other ingredients. Add the mixed dressing and toss together until the pasta is evenly coated with the dressing.
  • Season the pasta with salt and pepper to preference. Add olive oil as needed. Refrigerate the pasta for at least 2 hours before serving for the best flavor. Enjoy!

Notes

  1. For cooking the broccoli, you can either do this stovetop or steamed. For cooking the broccoli stovetop, add olive oil to a medium-size sauté pan over medium-low heat. Once the oil is hot, add the broccoli florets and coat the broccoli with the olive oil for 2 minutes. Add a dash of water, cover and simmer for 4-5 minutes.
  2. At a minimum, store the pasta in the refrigerator for 2 hours after assembling to have the dressing flavor infuse the pasta. You’ll find that the rice vinegar will taste more tart, and you’ll get more of the lemon flavor after it sits.
  3. I ONLY used 1/3 cup of rice vinegar just to get enough of that zing in a bite! This is not a pasta recipe that uses way too much dressing to just sit at the bottom of the bowl! The dressing measurements given LIGHTLY coat the pasta for an even balance.
  4. See Sam’s Pro Tips for this Easy Cold Pasta Salad Recipe for further tips on making this recipe.