• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
White Kitchen Red Wine
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Christmas
  • Work With Me
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Christmas
  • Work With Me
×
Home » Recipes » Side Dishes

Zesty Italian Pasta Salad

Feb 8, 2021 · Modified: Aug 4, 2022 by Sara Ayesh · This post may contain affiliate links · 1 Comment

Love this recipe? Share it!

258 shares
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

It's officially Spring. I'll say it! Because we REALLY need something to look forward to right now, am I right?! I've got some cute little baby chickens on the way, more on that in another post! I've got salads for DAYZZ. First of many, is this Zesty Italian Pasta Salad.

italian pasta salad pin image

Healthy Pasta Salad

I've put a lean and green spin on this classic recipe my mom used to make by swapping pasta for ZUCCHINI pasta! Noodles made with zucchini. And it totally transforms this salad.

Another way you could make this pasta salad super healthy and packed with protein is to swap in your favorite chickpea or lentil pasta. I tend to go with Banza pasta or Tolerant as our family favorites.

zuchininoodlesalad

Benefits Of Using Zucchini Noodles

The zucchini noodle or "zoodle" are not only are an amazing pasta alternative but make an excellent base for a salad!

When uncooked, these veggies actually have a great little bite while still remaining tender but NOT mushy.

I'm all about that! It'll revitalize some of those boring greens we've been stuck in a rut with and you'll be craving this all spring and summer.

A Comfort Food Favorite

So my mom makes this Italian pasta salad very often that has feta, Olive Garden salad dressing (because duh, we know that's the best one), cucumber, olives, and tomatoes.

It's all the things my mother loves and it brings back tons of good family dinner memories. I decided to go low carb and recreate this using zucchini noodles!

Another reason I have such good memories surrounding this is because of what we eat it with! Spring and Summer food pair so well with this salad like grilled fish or chicken.

Try serving this with my Grilled Chicken Sliders or Lebanese Chicken Kafta!

The Best Zesty Italian Dressing

Is it even a question that Olive Garden Italian dressing IS the best!? It's my favorite Italian dressing to use and many of your local grocery stores should carry it.

I've found it at Kroger, Aldi, Sams, and more! If you cannot seem to find it though, just make sure whichever one you choose is labeled "zesty" Italian dressing.

zuchininoodlesalad

Zesty Italian Pasta Salad Ingredients

  • 3 zucchini
  • 1 English cucumber
  • 1 bell pepper, any color is fine!
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes
  • ½ cup chopped green olives
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup favorite Italian Dressing, I used this one!
  • ¼ red onion finely chopped
  • ½ cup feta cheese

How To Make Italian Zucchini Noodle Salad

  1. Spiralize your zucchini using a spiralizer like any of these! (Veggetti, Kitchen Aid Spiralizer, Juliene Peeler)
  2. Put the noodles in a colander over a large bowl to let any water drain out, sprinkle with ½ teaspoon salt.
  3. Finely chop cucumber, bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, green olives and red onion and add to the collander with the zucchini noodles
  4. Shake the colander over the large bowl and discard any water that comes out.
  5. Combine all ingredients in the large bowl and pour over ½ cup of Italian Dressing.
  6. Serve with crumbled feta on top!

How To Store Cold Italian Pasta Salad

Since this is a chilled pasta salad, simply store it in the fridge for up to 5 days in an air tight container.

If you keep it longer than that which ever noodle you chose to use will get very soggy and not so enjoyable!

noodle salad pin image

More Salad Recipes

Tabouli Salad

Garlicky Kale Panzanella

Fall Harvest Salad

📖 Recipe

zuchininoodlesalad

Italian Zucchini Noodle Salad

Simple & Healthy zuchini noodle salad
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Sides and Shareables
Prep Time: 15 minutes mins
Total Time: 15 minutes mins
Servings: 4 Servings
Author: Sara Ayesh

Ingredients

  • 3 zucchini
  • 1 English cucumber
  • 1 bell pepper any color is fine!
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes
  • ½ cup chopped green olives
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup favorite Italian Dressing I used this one!
  • ¼ red onion finely chopped
  • ½ cup feta cheese

Instructions

  • Spiralize your zucchini using a spiralizer like any of these! (Veggetti, Kitchen Aid Spiralizer, Juliene Peeler)
  • Put the noodles in a colander over a large bowl to let any water drain out, sprinkle with ½ teaspoon salt.
  • Finely chop cucumber, bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, green olives and red onion and add to the collander with the zucchini noodles
  • Shake the colander over the large bowl and discard any water that comes out.
  • Combine all ingredients in the large bowl and pour over ½ cup of Italian Dressing.
  • Serve with crumbled feta on top!
Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @WhiteKitchenRedWine or tag #whitekitchenredwine!

More sides and shareables

  • baked bread in a dutch oven
    Easy Dutch Oven Bread
  • Weck jar filled with apple pie granola
    Apple Pie Granola Recipe
  • Marble plate stacked with baked apple crescent rolls.
    Easy Apple Pie Crescent Rolls
  • casserole dish with baked green bean casserole (without mushroom soup)
    Green Bean Casserole (Without Mushroom Soup!)

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. abobba.com says

    February 16, 2021 at 5:36 am

    Witam!
    I love my babe pizza

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Hello! I'm Sara Ayesh & welcome to White Kitchen Red Wine. You've just found your go-to place for appetizers, drinks, desserts, and stunning dinner recipes that are fit for any dinner party.

Dig Deeper! →

Join The Supper Club Monthly Newsletter!

BEST Thanksgiving recipes

  • turkey roulade on a plate dressed up with orange slices
    Grilled and Rolled Turkey Breast with Maple and Bacon
  • turkey lentil soup in a white bowl with a napkin and spoon laying next to it.
    Delicious Leftover Turkey Lentil Soup Recipe
  • oval baking dish with ground turkey sheperd's pie with a spoon in it
    Ground Turkey Shepherd's Pie Recipe
  • Sara setting down turkey on thanksgiving table
    Herbs de Provence Dry Brine Turkey

holiday sides & Appetizers

  • close photo of mushrooms on toast with parmesan cream and dried thyme
    Creamy Parmesan Mushroom Toast
  • tooth pick through a fried goat cheese ball
    Crispy Fried Goat Cheese
  • plate of polenta slices topped with goat cheese and honey
    10-Minute Fried Polenta with Goat Cheese and Honey
  • white baking dish with mashed potato casserole
    Twice Baked Mashed Potatoes with Boursin Cheese

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact
  • Services
  • Media Kit

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright White Kitchen Red Wine 2023