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Italian Pasta Salad Recipe

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3.9 from 28 reviews

  • Author: Sara
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This Italian Pasta Salad is a vibrant and refreshing dish featuring rotini pasta tossed with fresh cherry tomatoes, cucumber, black olives, red bell pepper, mozzarella pearls, and red onion. All the ingredients are coated in a zesty homemade Italian dressing, enhanced with Italian seasoning and fresh parsley. Perfect for picnics, parties, and easy meal prep, it can be made ahead and served chilled for ultimate flavor.

Ingredients

Salad Ingredients

  • 12 oz rotini pasta
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup cucumber, diced
  • ½ cup black olives, sliced
  • ½ cup red bell pepper, diced
  • ½ cup mozzarella pearls
  • ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced

Dressing & Seasoning

  • ¼ cup Italian dressing
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

  1. Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to the package directions, typically about 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down.
  2. Combine Ingredients: Transfer the cooled pasta to a large mixing bowl. Add the halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, sliced black olives, diced red bell pepper, mozzarella pearls, and thinly sliced red onion to the bowl.
  3. Add Dressing and Seasoning: Pour ¼ cup of Italian dressing over the salad ingredients. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning and 2 tablespoons of freshly chopped parsley evenly on top for extra flavor.
  4. Toss Salad: Gently toss all the ingredients together until everything is evenly coated with the dressing and well combined.
  5. Chill: Cover the salad and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and the salad to serve chilled and refreshing.

Notes

  • Add pepperoni, salami, or grilled chicken for extra protein and a heartier salad option.
  • This pasta salad is best served chilled, making it perfect for summer gatherings and picnics.
  • For a gluten-free version, substitute the rotini pasta with a gluten-free variety.
  • Fresh parsley can be substituted with basil or oregano according to taste preference.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: Boiling
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Find it online: https://sarasplate.com/italian-pasta-salad-recipe/