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
- Cook Pasta: Boil pasta until al dente, then cool under cold water.
- Prepare Dressing: Whisk together Italian dressing, mayonnaise, and red wine vinegar.
- Combine Ingredients: Mix pasta, tomatoes, cucumber, peppers, carrots, olives, cheese, onion, and parsley in a bowl.
- Toss with Dressing: Coat everything in the dressing, season with salt and pepper.
- 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
