Description
Italian Pasta Salad is a refreshing and colorful dish made with pasta, fresh vegetables, savory meats, and Italian dressing. Perfect for summer picnics, barbecues, or as a side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces of pasta (like rotini or penne)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumbers, diced
- 1/2 cup bell peppers (any color), diced
- 1/2 cup red onion, diced
- 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, cubed
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup Italian dressing
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
- While the pasta is cooling, wash and chop the vegetables. Dice cucumbers, bell peppers, and onion; halve the cherry tomatoes, and slice the olives. Cube the mozzarella cheese.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, vegetables, and cheese. Add the Italian dressing and gently mix everything together to coat evenly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving.
Notes
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta.
- If you prefer a richer taste, substitute the Italian dressing with a creamy dressing or a homemade vinaigrette.
- Feel free to add grilled chicken, shrimp, or extra vegetables like artichokes for variation.
- Let the salad chill for longer than 30 minutes for enhanced flavor absorption.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
Keywords: Italian Pasta Salad, pasta salad recipe, summer salad, Italian dressing pasta salad, easy pasta salad, healthy pasta salad, veggie pasta salad