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The Best Pasta Salad Recipe

The Best Pasta Salad Recipe


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4.8 from 8 reviews

  • Author: Emma
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This Best Pasta Salad recipe is a colorful and flavorful dish perfect for picnics, potlucks, or as a refreshing side for any meal. Packed with veggies, cheese, and a zesty dressing, it’s a crowd-pleaser!


Ingredients

Scale

Pasta Salad:

  • 12 ounces rotini or bowtie pasta
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup cucumber, diced
  • 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
  • 1/2 cup shredded carrots
  • 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
  • 1/2 cup cubed cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Dressing:

  • 1/2 cup Italian dressing
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook Pasta: Boil pasta until al dente, then cool under cold water.
  2. Prepare Dressing: Whisk together Italian dressing, mayonnaise, and red wine vinegar.
  3. Combine Ingredients: Mix pasta, tomatoes, cucumber, peppers, carrots, olives, cheese, onion, and parsley in a bowl.
  4. Toss with Dressing: Coat everything in the dressing, season with salt and pepper.
  5. Chill: Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • This pasta salad keeps well for up to 3 days.
  • For added protein, include diced salami or pepperoni.
  • Try mozzarella pearls instead of cheddar for a different flavor.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: No-Cook (after boiling pasta)
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 320
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 480mg
  • Fat: 15g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 38g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 9g
  • Cholesterol: 15mg