Cold Pasta Salad
Cold Pasta Salad is a refreshing, versatile dish typically made with cooked pasta tossed in a vinaigrette or creamy dressing, often featuring ingredients like fresh vegetables (tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers), herbs, and sometimes cheese or proteins like chickpeas. It's a staple of American potlucks and picnics, with roots in Italian pasta salads adapted for casual, make-ahead meals.
🍳 View the full Cold Pasta Salad recipe →
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is generally high in carbohydrates from the pasta, with moderate fat from dressings or added ingredients like cheese or olive oil, and can be boosted in protein with beans or grilled chicken. A typical 1-cup serving provides around 200-350 calories, along with fiber, vitamins from veggies, and some B vitamins from the pasta.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 350 kcal |
| Protein | 8 g |
| Carbs | 45 g |
| Fat | 15 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 680 mg |
| Potassium | 180 mg |
| Vitamin C | 10 mg |
| Vitamin A | 45 µg |
| Calcium | 50 mg |
| Iron | 2 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.2 mg |
| Folate | 60 µg |
| Magnesium | 25 mg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, Cold Pasta Salad embodies the fusion of Italian pasta traditions with American convenience cooking, evolving into a customizable canvas for seasonal produce and dietary preferences. Nutritionally, it's unique for its balance of quick energy from carbs and sustained fullness from fiber-rich additions, making it a practical choice for hot-weather eating.
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AI estimate may be inaccurate · Terms