Description
This Easy Italian Pasta Salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish perfect for summer gatherings or a quick meal. Packed with colorful vegetables, cheese, and tossed in zesty Italian dressing, it’s a crowd-pleaser!
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 12 oz rotini or bowtie pasta, cooked and cooled
Veggies:
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
Cheese & Dressing:
- 1/2 cup mozzarella pearls or cubed mozzarella
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/3 cup Italian dressing (store-bought or homemade)
Seasoning:
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil pasta until al dente, then cool under cold water.
- Prepare the Salad: Combine pasta, tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, olives, mozzarella, and Parmesan in a bowl.
- Add Dressing: Pour Italian dressing over the salad, toss well to coat.
- Season and Chill: Season with salt, pepper, parsley. Chill for 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
- This salad can be made a day ahead and stored in the fridge.
- Add salami, pepperoncini, or artichoke hearts for extra flavor.
- Use gluten-free pasta if needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
