This Italian pasta salad is a refreshing and colorful dish, perfect for picnics, barbecues, or as a side for any meal.
Made with al dente pasta, fresh vegetables, and a tangy dressing, it offers a delightful combination of flavors and textures.
The recipe is simple and can be customized with your favorite ingredients. It’s a great way to use up leftover vegetables or meats, making it versatile for any occasion.
Easy Italian Pasta Salad Recipe
This pasta salad features cooked pasta tossed with cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, olives, and mozzarella cheese, all coated in a zesty Italian dressing.
The recipe takes about 30 minutes to prepare and serves 6 people.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces rotini or penne pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1 cup bell peppers, diced (red, yellow, or green)
- 1/2 cup black or green olives, sliced
- 1 cup mozzarella balls or diced mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup Italian dressing
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
- Prepare the Vegetables: While the pasta is cooking, chop the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, olives, and red onion.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chopped vegetables, and mozzarella cheese.
- Dress the Salad: Pour the Italian dressing over the pasta salad and toss gently to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
Cook and Prep Times
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Nutrition Information
- Servings: 6 servings
- Calories: 250kcal
- Fat: 12g
- Protein: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
Italian Pasta Salad
This pasta salad is a delightful combination of cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, olives, and mozzarella cheese, all tossed in a zesty Italian dressing. The recipe takes about 30 minutes to prepare and serves six people.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces rotini or penne pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1 cup bell peppers, diced (red, yellow, or green)
- 1/2 cup black or green olives, sliced
- 1 cup mozzarella balls or diced mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup Italian dressing
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
- Prepare the Vegetables: While the pasta is cooking, chop the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, olives, and red onion.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chopped vegetables, and mozzarella cheese.
- Dress the Salad: Pour the Italian dressing over the pasta salad and toss gently to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
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