Description
This Easy Italian Pasta Salad Recipe is a colorful and flavorful dish perfect for picnics, potlucks, or as a refreshing side dish. With a medley of fresh vegetables, pasta, and savory meats tossed in zesty Italian dressing, this salad is a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta Salad:
- 12 ounces rotini pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1 cup cucumber (diced)
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper (chopped)
- 1/2 cup sliced black olives
- 1/2 cup red onion (thinly sliced)
- 1/2 cup cubed mozzarella or mini mozzarella balls
- 1/2 cup salami or pepperoni (sliced into strips)
- 3/4 cup Italian dressing (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
- Prepare the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, black olives, red onion, mozzarella, and salami.
- Add Dressing: Pour in the Italian dressing and toss everything together until well coated. Season with salt and pepper.
- Final Touches: Sprinkle Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley over the salad, then toss again. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
- You can make this pasta salad a day ahead.
- Feel free to customize with your favorite veggies or proteins.
- Add more dressing if needed before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 13g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
