Description
A delightful Italian Dressing Pasta Salad that is perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a refreshing side dish. This colorful salad is packed with pasta, fresh vegetables, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese, all tossed in a zesty Italian dressing.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta Salad:
- 12 oz rotini or bowtie pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1 cup cucumber (diced)
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper (diced)
- 1/2 cup sliced black olives
- 1/2 cup red onion (thinly sliced)
- 1/2 cup mozzarella pearls or cubes
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or basil
Italian Dressing:
- 3/4 cup Italian dressing (store-bought or homemade)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool completely.
- Prepare the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, olives, red onion, mozzarella, Parmesan, and herbs.
- Add Dressing: Pour the Italian dressing over the salad and toss well to coat all ingredients evenly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Chill and Serve: Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld. Toss again just before serving.
Notes
- For extra flavor, use a zesty Italian dressing and add diced salami or pepperoni.
- This salad is great for meal prep—store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 410mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
