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The Ultimate Easy Pasta Salad Recipe for Every Occasion

A vibrant and flavorful pasta salad perfect for picnics, potlucks, or any casual gathering.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound rotini pasta
  • 1 red bell pepper (chopped)
  • 1 yellow bell pepper (chopped)
  • 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes (halved)
  • ½ cup chopped red onion
  • 3.8 ounces sliced black olives
  • 4 ounces mozzarella cheese (cubed)
  • ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 cup Italian dressing
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 7-9 minutes. Stir occasionally.
  2. Prep the Veggies: While the pasta is cooking, chop the red and yellow bell peppers, halve the cherry tomatoes, and chop up the red onion and parsley. Place them in a large mixing bowl.
  3. Make the Mix: Once the pasta is done, drain it and run it under cold water to cool it down. Add the cooled pasta to the bowl with the vegetables.
  4. Toss in the Olives and Cheese: Add the sliced olives, cubed mozzarella, and grated Parmesan cheese to the bowl.
  5. Dress It Up: Pour the Italian dressing over the pasta salad and toss everything together gently until well combined. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
  6. Chill and Serve: Let the pasta salad chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. Toss again before serving.

Notes

This pasta salad is versatile and can easily be adapted with different vegetables, proteins, or dressings for a personal touch.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, easy recipes, summer recipes, picnic food, vegetarian salad