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Easy Pasta Salad Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.1 from 61 reviews
  • Author: Bara
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 10 servings
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: Italian-American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This Easy Pasta Salad is a refreshing and colorful dish perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a light lunch. It combines rotini pasta with crisp cucumbers, juicy cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, and black olives, all tossed in a savory Italian dressing. Finished with fresh mozzarella balls, grated Parmesan, and parsley, this no-cook salad is simple to prepare, served cold, and full of vibrant flavors.

Ingredients

Salad Ingredients

  • 16 ounces Rotini Pasta
  • 1 cup Italian Salad Dressing
  • 1 English cucumber (peeled, sliced and quartered)
  • 1 pint Cherry Tomatoes (cut in half)
  • 1 bell pepper (any color, chopped)
  • 1/4 cup Red Onion (diced)
  • 1/4 cup black olives (sliced)
  • 1 cup Fresh Mozzarella Balls (chopped)
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
  • 3 Tablespoons fresh parsley (finely chopped)
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)

Instructions

  1. Cook Pasta: Cook the rotini pasta according to the package instructions until al dente, ensuring it's tender but still slightly firm to the bite.
  2. Drain and Cool: Immediately drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down for the salad.
  3. Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, gently mix the cooled pasta with the cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, bell pepper, red onion, black olives, and Italian salad dressing to evenly coat all ingredients.
  4. Add Cheese and Season: Stir in the chopped fresh mozzarella balls gently, then season the salad with salt and pepper to your taste, topping it off with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.
  5. Chill: Refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 1 hour or overnight to let the flavors meld and to serve it chilled.
  6. Serve: Serve the pasta salad cold as a refreshing side dish or light meal, and enjoy!

Notes

  • For best flavor, prepare and refrigerate the salad for several hours or overnight before serving.
  • Feel free to substitute or add other vegetables like artichokes, carrots, or zucchini for variety.
  • You can use a store-bought Italian dressing or make your own vinaigrette for a fresher taste.
  • If preferred, use low-fat or part-skim mozzarella to reduce fat content.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Find it online: https://yumbara.com/easy-pasta-salad-recipe/