Best Easy Pasta Salad
The Best Easy Pasta Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish that’s perfect for potlucks, BBQs, or as a hearty side for any meal. Bursting with fresh vegetables, olives, and creamy cheeses, this pasta salad is tossed in a zesty Italian dressing that elevates every bite. Not only is it easy to prepare in just 30 minutes, but it also tastes even better after chilling, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. Whether enjoyed on its own or alongside grilled meats, this colorful salad is sure to please a crowd and makes for an excellent make-ahead option for busy hosts.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately 8 people 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound rotini pasta
- 4 ounces mozzarella cheese (cubed)
- ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 red bell pepper (chopped)
- 1 yellow bell pepper (chopped)
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes (halved)
- ½ cup chopped red onion
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- 3.8 ounce can sliced black olives
- 1 cup Italian dressing
Instructions
- Boil salted water in a large pot and cook the rotini according to package directions until al dente.
- Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse with cool water; let it sit to cool completely.
- While the pasta cools, chop all vegetables and other ingredients into bite-sized pieces.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta with bell peppers, tomatoes, red onion, olives, mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, parsley, and Italian dressing. Stir until well combined.
- Cover the bowl and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Find it online: https://madebykiara.com/best-easy-pasta-salad/