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As summer fades and the back-to-school season approaches, parents find themselves on a quest for quick, nutritious, and appealing meal options for their children. With busy schedules and the need for balanced nutrition, it’s essential to have versatile recipes ready for both lunchboxes and family dinners. Among the myriad of meal choices, pasta salads stand out as an ideal solution. They not only cater to diverse tastes but also offer a colorful presentation that’s sure to entice even the pickiest of eaters.

Back-to-School Lunchbox Pasta Salad

As the back-to-school season approaches, the Colorful Back-to-School Pasta Salad emerges as the perfect nutritious meal option for busy families. This vibrant dish combines tri-color rotini pasta with an array of fresh vegetables like cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers, creating a visually stunning and tasty salad. Easy to prepare and customizable for picky eaters, it’s ideal for lunchboxes, quick dinners, or picnics. Dive into this delicious recipe and foster healthy eating habits in your family!
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Ingredients
  

8 oz (about 2 cups) of tri-color rotini pasta

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

1 cup cucumber, diced

1 cup bell peppers (red, yellow, or green), diced

½ cup black olives, sliced

½ cup feta cheese, crumbled

¼ cup red onion, finely diced

½ cup Italian dressing (store-bought or homemade)

Salt and pepper to taste

Fresh basil or parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions
 

Cook the Pasta: In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the tri-color rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool it down.

    Chop and Prepare Vegetables: While the pasta cooks, prepare the vegetables. Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber and bell peppers, slice the black olives, and finely chop the red onion.

      Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, black olives, red onion, and feta cheese.

        Dress the Salad: Drizzle the Italian dressing over the pasta salad. Gently toss everything together until evenly coated. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.

          Chill and Serve: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Before serving, garnish with fresh basil or parsley for an extra touch.

            Pack for Lunch: Divide the pasta salad into portion-sized containers for easy packing in lunchboxes.

              Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes | Servings: 4-6