Description
A vibrant and refreshing Italian dressing pasta salad tossed with colorful vegetables and zesty Italian dressing. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a light lunch. This easy Italian pasta salad recipe is a family favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz rotini pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, chopped
- 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
- 1/3 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup Italian dressing
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, cubed
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the rotini pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, black olives, red onion, and mozzarella cheese.
- Pour the Italian dressing over the salad ingredients. Toss well to coat everything evenly.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Add chopped fresh parsley and toss again.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to blend. Serve chilled.
Notes
- For a vegetarian option, omit the salami or pepperoni and consider adding chickpeas.
- If you prefer a creamier Italian pasta salad, you can add a bit of mayonnaise or Greek yogurt to the dressing.
- This pasta salad with Italian dressing tastes even better the next day.
- Hold off on adding fresh herbs until just before serving to prevent wilting.
- Gluten-free pasta can be used for a gluten-free Italian pasta salad.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Pasta Salad
- Method: Cold Salad
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 310 calories
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 0mg