Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing
Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing is a fresh, colorful side dish made with tender pasta, crisp vegetables, savory cheese, and zesty Italian dressing. It’s perfect for potlucks, picnics, meal prep, or as a light main course.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8–10 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boil
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- Rotini, fusilli, or penne pasta
- Italian dressing
- Cherry tomatoes, halved
- Cucumber, diced
- Red bell pepper, diced
- Green bell pepper, diced
- Red onion, thinly sliced
- Black olives, sliced
- Mozzarella pearls or cubed mozzarella cheese
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Pepperoni slices or salami, chopped (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt
- Black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente.
- Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water. Drain well.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, red onion, olives, and mozzarella.
- Add the pepperoni or salami if using.
- Pour the Italian dressing over the salad and toss until evenly coated.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Toss again before serving and add more dressing if needed.
Notes
- Chill before serving for the best flavor.
- Refresh with extra Italian dressing before serving if the pasta absorbs too much.
- Add grilled chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas to make it a main dish.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezing is not recommended.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 310 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
Find it online: https://thefamilycooking.com/pasta-salad-with-italian-dressing/
