Description
Italian Pasta Salad is a vibrant, flavor-packed dish made with pasta, crisp veggies, olives, cheese, and zesty Italian dressing. It’s perfect for potlucks, lunches, or make-ahead meals that are refreshing and satisfying.
Ingredients
- 12 oz pasta (rotini, penne, or bowtie)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, chopped
- 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
- 1 cup mozzarella balls or cubes
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley or basil, chopped
- 1/2–2/3 cup Italian dressing (store-bought or homemade)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: 1/4 cup sliced pepperoncini, chopped artichoke hearts, or diced salami
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
- Prepare and chop all vegetables and optional add-ins.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine pasta, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, bell pepper, olives, and mozzarella.
- Pour in Italian dressing and toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Season with salt and pepper, then fold in chopped herbs.
- Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Notes
- Use tortellini for a heartier version.
- Add beans (like chickpeas or white beans) for more protein.
- Swap mozzarella with avocado or roasted red peppers for a dairy-free version.
- Give leftovers a fresh splash of dressing before serving.
- Wait to add cucumbers if storing for more than a day to keep them crisp.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 360mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
