Description
This Easy Italian Pasta Salad Recipe is a flavorful and colorful dish perfect for any gathering. With a mix of pasta, veggies, cheese, and a zesty dressing, it’s a refreshing side that’s easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta Salad:
- 12 oz rotini pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
- 1 cup mozzarella pearls or cubes
- 1/2 cup salami or pepperoni, chopped
Dressing:
- 3/4 cup Italian dressing (store-bought or homemade)
Garnish:
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or basil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the pasta until al dente, then drain and rinse under cold water.
- Prepare Salad: In a large bowl, combine pasta, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, olives, mozzarella, and salami or pepperoni.
- Add Dressing: Pour Italian dressing over the salad and toss to coat everything.
- Garnish and Chill: Sprinkle with Parmesan, herbs, salt, and pepper. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Serve: Toss again before serving.
Notes
- This salad can be made ahead and refrigerated.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the salami.
- Additional ingredients like artichoke hearts or peppers can be added for more flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: No-Cook (after boiling pasta)
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: about 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
