Description
Italian Pasta Salad is a vibrant and refreshing dish that combines the delightful flavors of rotini pasta, juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and savory Italian dressing. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or as a side for family dinners, this salad is not only quick to prepare but also allows for endless customization with your favorite vegetables and proteins. With its colorful ingredients and easy preparation, this crowd-pleaser is sure to become a staple at any gathering. Prepare it ahead of time so the flavors meld beautifully, making it an ideal option for meal prep!
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz rotini pasta
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1/2 pound mozzarella cheese (cubed)
- 4 oz pepperoni (cut in half)
- 1 green bell pepper (diced)
- 1 can black olives (6 oz, drained)
- 8 oz Italian dressing
- 6 oz shredded Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (finely chopped)
Instructions
- Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the rotini pasta until al dente, about 7-9 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta with halved cherry tomatoes, cubed mozzarella cheese, halved pepperoni, diced green bell pepper, and drained black olives.
- Pour the Italian dressing over the salad mixture and add shredded Parmesan cheese. Stir until well combined.
- Cover with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least one hour to allow flavors to meld.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Boiling/Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (200g)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 770mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 40mg