Amazingly Simple, Crowd-Pleasing Pasta Salad Recipe This is one of my go-to pasta salads for any buffet: so easy to make, fresh, and everyone loves it!

Servings: 12 Prep time: 20 minutes Chill time: At least 2 hours

Ingredients:

• 1 pound rotini pasta
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, halved (optional, but they add a nice zing!)
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

Dressing:

• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions, then drain and rinse with cold water. This is very important for a good pasta salad.
2. In a large bowl, combine pasta, tomatoes, red onion, bell pepper, chickpeas, and olives (if using).
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients.
4. Pour dressing over the pasta mixture and toss gently to combine. Don't over-mix; you'll mush your tomatoes.
5. Stir in feta cheese. This should be done just before serving to keep the cheese from getting soggy.
6. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. The longer it chills, the better the flavors will meld.

This recipe is super adaptable. Get creative and add your favorite veggies or protein!