What All Goes In Pasta Salad

Italian Pasta Salad

Italian pasta salad is one of my favorite cold spaghetti salad recipes to eat in the summertime! Fresh and bright veggies, cheese, salami, and an Italian vinaigrette are combined with your favorite pasta to make an amazing dish that can be served for just about any summer gathering or event. One of my favorite potluck foods is pasta salad, which may range from a simple and freshGreek Pasta Salad to a wonderful Caesar Pasta Salad and, of course, my famousDill Pickle Pasta Salad. Apart from the fact that everyone enjoys them, pasta salads are also extremely simple to prepare and taste much better when made ahead of time!

Potluck Perfect Pasta Salad

The first few weeks of summer usually seem to find us at barbecues, potlucks, and patio gatherings of one kind or another. In addition to bringing a large pitcher of Classic Mojitos (which is my signature drink), I generally always bring a recipe for a cold pasta salad as well as the mojitos. It’s easy to see why this Italian Pasta Salad dish is such a fun take on a standard pasta salad recipe since it’s packed with so many delicious ingredients. It’s lightweight and versatile, and it goes with almost anything.

Big Bold Flavors

This simple pasta salad dish is packed with flavor, and you can customize it by include your favorite Italian-inspired ingredients such as chopped artichokes and sundried tomatoes. For the pasta salad, you will need the following ingredients:

• While this simple pasta salad dish is bursting with flavor, you can customize it even further by include your favorite Italian-inspired ingredients such as chopped artichokes and sundried tomatoes. For the pasta salad, you’ll need these ingredients:

Noodles for Pasta Salad

Rotini in three colors does an excellent job of retaining the cheese and Italian dressing in the crevices for maximum taste, but shells or whatever medium noodles you happen to have on hand would work just as well. Cook the pasta until it is al dente, so that it does not get mushy and can withstand the dressing.

Tips to Make the Perfect Italian Pasta Salad

• Cut your vegetables into tiny pieces: By cutting your veggies into pieces that are little smaller than bite-sized, you can ensure that you receive a taste of everything in every bite. Take care not to overcook your noodles: Overcooking will result in a mushy pasta salad, since the acids in the dressing will break down the starches even further as the pasta is cooked. To get the finest results, shock your noodles in cold water after they have been cooked al dente. Allow the pasta to cool completely before adding the toppings: During the process of mixing everything together, you don’t want to start cooking your veggies. Allow your pasta salad to settle for a few minutes before serving it: Because of this, the dressing has a better chance of permeating your vegetables and pasta, yielding a more flavorful and delectable Italian pasta salad. Keep it colorful: If you’re include any additional vegetables that you happen to have on hand, make your pasta salad as vibrant and lively as possible! Things like artichokes, shredded carrots, sun-dried tomatoes, peppers, and other vegetables are some of my favorite additions.

Italian Pasta Salad Dressing

I use a bottled Italian dressing to make this dish quick and simple, but if you have the ingredients on hand, you can create your own Italian dressing, which is very delicious. Prepare ahead of time. This spaghetti salad dish is particularly delicious since it becomes better as it sits and the flavors combine! It’s the perfect side dish to prepare ahead of time because it just takes around 20 minutes to put together. What could be more satisfying than that? Once chilled, the acids in the dressing work to help break down the starches in the pasta and proteins in the vegetables, resulting in a more flavorful and tender pasta salad (be careful not to overcook your noodles!).

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil (or use half olive oil and half vegetable oil)
• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar (or your favorite vinegar)
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian spice
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil

Favorite Pasta Salad Recipes

• Recipes include Caprese Pasta Salad, Creamy Tuna Pasta Salad, Bow Tie Pasta Salad, BLT Pasta Salad, Easy Greek Pasta Salad, Dill Pickle Pasta Salad, and Dill Pickle Pasta Salad.

Italian Pasta Salad

Preparation time: 15 minutes 15 minutes to prepare 2 Hours of Relaxation Time allotted: 2 hours and 30 minutes Servings12servings The ultimate make-ahead side dish is created by tossing tender pasta with juicy tomatoes, crisp bell peppers, salami, and mozzarella cheese in an Italian vinaigrette.

• 16 ounces tricolor rotini
• 8 ounces balsamic vinegar chopped
• 1 cup Italian vinaigrette dressing (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 pint grape tomatoes halved
• 12 cup sliced black olives
• 12 cup green bell pepper diced
• 12 cup orange bell pepper diced
• 12 cup red bell pepper diced
• 13 cup parmesan cheese shredded
• 3 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
• 12 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

FollowSpend with Pennies on Pinterest for more information.

• Cook the pasta until it is al dente according to the guidelines on the package. After rinsing with cold water, In a large mixing basin, combine all of the ingredients. Toss everything together
• Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before to serving time.

In a well sealed container in the refrigerator, it can keep for up to 3 days. Give the leftovers a good swirl and, if required, add extra dressing to bring the flavors together. Calories:325, Nutritional Information: Carbohydrates: 34g, protein: 13g, fat: 15g, saturated fat: 5g, cholesterol: 24mg, sodium: 818mg, potassium: 314mg, fiber: 2g, sugar: 5g, vitamin A: 855IU, vitamin C: 24mg, calcium: 104mg, iron: 1mg (The nutritional information supplied is an estimate, and it will vary depending on the cooking technique and the brands of components used).

The content and photos are protected by intellectual property rights.

We invite you to share this dish with your friends and family. It is extremely forbidden to copy and/or paste whole recipes into any social media platform. Please see my photo usage policy, which may be found here. Save this Super Summer Salad to your Pinterest board!

Quick and Easy Pasta Salad

Pasta salad with crisp veggies, fresh mozzarella, and a simple homemade dressing that is quick and easy to prepare. This is the ideal side dish! To the Easy Pasta Salad Recipe, please click here.

How To Make the Best Pasta Salad

This dish for spaghetti salad is simple to prepare. This salad, which is made with basic ingredients, is adaptable, so you can prepare it when you are overrun with summer vegetables or change it up depending on what is in season. Furthermore, you could expect to finish in less than 20 minutes from start to end. Not too terrible, especially when you consider that it can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 5 days! The dressing for this dish is made from vinaigrette. If you’re looking for a creamy salad, check out our creamy pasta salad recipe.

What Ingredients Should I Add to Pasta Salad?

We wanted to share with you a pasta salad that is both simple and adaptable. It is simple to put together and takes little time. We’ve included a slew of suggestions below to help you prepare the greatest pasta salad possible. This salad is a mix of two different pasta salads: Greek and Italian. Because we use both kalamata and green olives, this dish is considered Greek, although it is considered Italian because we include parmesan and fresh mozzarella cheese. If you enjoy salads that are influenced by the Mediterranean, check out our favorite Greek salad.

1. You are welcome to leave the olive oil out if you wish.
2. Several options have been provided below for your consideration.
3. I prefer it when the spaghetti has a little bite to it, and I despise it when it becomes mushy.
4. Aside from that, they contain an abundance of little spaces that serve to catch dressing and cheese shards as you’re eating them.
5. Orzo pasta is a delicious choice, but be careful not to overcook it.
6. We enjoy including bell pepper, cucumber, or zucchini, halved cherry tomatoes, and finely sliced green onion into our salads (or scallions).
7. Fennel, carrots, radish, and even cauliflower or broccoli are all good options for a vegetable side dish.

You might also try tossing in a handful of whatever fresh herbs you have on hand for good measure.

Incorporate Some Cheese: We enjoy the salty flavor of grated parmesan in our pasta salad.

Another cheese that many enjoy is mozzarella.

Other types of cheese will also work.

Leave off the cheese if you’re making a vegan pasta salad.

Olives give a tangy taste and a lot of flavor to a dish.

If you don’t want to make a vegetarian pasta salad, you may substitute a handful of sliced salami, pepperoni, turkey, or ham for the vegetables. You could also shred some leftover rotisserie or roasted chicken and add it in. There are so many alternatives!

Our Easy Dressing for Pasta Salad

We wanted to share a pasta salad recipe with you that is both simple and adaptable to any occasion. Easy to make, it takes only a few minutes to complete. We’ve included a slew of recommendations below to help you create the greatest pasta salad possible. In this pasta salad, you’ll find a mix of Greek and Italian flavors. It is Greek in flavor because we use both Kalamata and green olives, and Italian in flavor because we include parmesan and fresh mozzarella cheese in the mix. Take a peek at our favorite Greek salad if you enjoy salads with a Greek theme.

• You are welcome to skip the olive oil entirely if you like.
• Several options have been included below for you to review.
• Even if pasta is necessary, it is important to choose the right kind of pasta.
• When the pasta becomes mushy, however, I despise it!
• Aside from that, they contain an abundance of little spaces that serve to catch dressing and cheese shards as they fall.
• Orzo pasta is a delicious alternative, but be careful not to overcook it.
• The salad is brightened up with a variety of vegetables that are also crunchy.

Other veggies can be added as well.

When it comes to comfort food in the fall and winter, roasted winter squash and beets are a great option.

The greater the amount of color and taste, the greater the satisfaction!

Because it’s been shredded, it nearly completely dissolves into the sauce.

We cut little balls of fresh mozzarella in half and mix them with the pasta to finish it off.

If you want a more traditional Greek pasta salad, try substituting feta cheese for the parmesan cheese or using shredded sharp cheddar instead of parmesan cheese.

Extras with a lot of flavor: My favorite part of making pasta salad is sneaking in a few hidden items to really make it pop.

The addition of pickled veggies (such as pickled onions) and sliced pepperoncini peppers gives the dish a little additional zip.

For those who aren’t interested in a vegetarian pasta salad, you may substitute a handful of sliced salami, pepperoni, turkey, or ham. You could also shred a rotisserie or cooked chicken and throw it in there. It’s impossible to decide!

Making Pasta Salad in Advance

The good news is as follows: Pasta salad becomes more flavorful with time. Allowing the pasta and vegetables to marinate in the dressing for an extended period of time makes a significant change in flavor. When it comes to potato salad, we use the same procedure. Pasta salad may be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to five days, making it an excellent side dish to prepare in advance of a meal. To summarize, the following are the essential ingredients for the greatest homemade pasta salad:

• Making the ideal tangy dressing is as simple as combining red wine vinegar, oregano, olive oil, salt, and pepper. It is not only feasible, but also encouraged, to prepare the pasta salad ahead of time
• In fact, it is highly suggested. Make use of a wide range of colors and textures. The vegetables offer crunch and color, the olives give brininess, and the fresh mozzarella elevates the salad to a new level of excellence. Fresh herbs, pickled vegetables, or spicy peppers such as chopped pepperoncini peppers can be used to enhance the taste even more.

More Pasta Salads

However, creamy pasta salad is also delicious and may be made with a vinaigrette dressing instead. Try ourCreamy Macaroni Pasta Salad, which has a simple creamy sauce as well as crisp vegetables. This Easy Orzo Pasta Salad is a favorite among our readers. It’s dressed simply with a lemon vinaigrette and topped with cucumber, olives, artichokes, tomatoes, and fresh herbs. We also enjoy thisPearl Couscous Salad with tomatoes and cucumbers, which you can get here. It’s one of our favorite salads since it has a lot of texture thanks to the crisp cucumber, juicy tomatoes, crunchy almonds, and toasted raisins.

Quick and Easy Pasta Salad

This simple pasta salad may be customized based on the items you have on hand or the season in which you live. Start with a strong pasta form like rotini or penne that has nooks and crannies to hold onto the dressing, such as arugula. Combine with our simple dressing and plenty of bright veggies, and serve immediately. Add a handful of fresh mozzarella balls, some parmesan cheese (which melts into the dressing), and you’ve got yourself a delicious salad. More options for what to include may be found in the post above, which includes our recommendations.

Watch Us Make the Recipe

Salad de Pasta Fusilli, penne, rotini, or farfalle are all good dry pasta options (bow tie) 1 cup sliced bell pepper (optional) (1 medium) 1 cup thinly sliced zucchini (about half a medium-sized zucchini) 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes (around 1 cup) Scallions (about 1/3 cup, finely sliced) (5 to 6) Optional: 1/4 cup sliced pepperoncini or banana peppers, if desired 1 cup (4 ounces) halved assorted olives (around 1 cup total) parmesan cheese or hard cheese, grated, to make 1 cup (2 ounces).

diced fresh mozzarella balls (about 1 cup or 6 ounces) Optional: a third cup chopped fresh parsley or basil Dressing Made from Scratch 1/3 cup red wine vinegar, white wine vinegar, or champagne vinegar is a good substitute.

2 to 3 tbsp Extra-virgin olive oil (about 1/2 cup)

Directions

• Prepare a big saucepan of salted water by bringing it to a boil. Cook the pasta until it is cooked, about 6 to 10 minutes (check the package for recommended cook time). Drain the water and thoroughly rinse it under cold water. While the pasta is cooking, whisk together the dressing in the bottom of a large mixing basin. To make the dressing, whisk together the red wine vinegar, salt, pepper, oregano, pepperoncini juice (if using), and olive oil until well combined. Toss in the pasta, which has been drained and washed, and combine thoroughly. Combine the bell pepper, zucchini, tomatoes, scallions, pepperoncini (if using), olives, parmesan, mozzarella, and herbs in a large mixing bowl until well combined (if using). Season with salt and pepper to taste, and adjust as necessary. Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate for the best effects for at least 30 minutes and up to 5 days.

Adam and Joanne’s Tips

• Putting it together a day ahead of time is a fantastic idea since it just becomes better with time. Nutritional information: The nutritional information shown below is an approximation. The USDA database was consulted in order to generate approximate values.

Prepare sure to take a photo and tag it with the hashtag #itinspiredtaste if you make this recipe – we love to see your creations on Instagram and Facebook! You may find us at: @inspiredtaste Nutritional Information Per Serving: A serving size of one tenth of a salad has 363 calories, 19 grams of total fat, 5 grams of saturated fat, 18.3 milligrams of cholesterol, 507.1 milligrams of sodium, 36.6 grams of carbohydrates, 2.3 grams of dietary fiber, 2 grams of total sugars, and 11.7 grams of protein.

Easy Italian Pasta Salad

Spiral rotini pasta, cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, black olives, and feta cheese are all combined in an Italian vinaigrette for a quick and easy pasta salad that takes only minutes to prepare. This spaghetti salad dish is really simple, fast, and tasty. If you’re looking for a quick and easy Italian pasta salad recipe, you’ve come to the right place! I’ve discovered that using store-bought bottled salad dressing is the quickest and most convenient method of preparing pasta salads. It seems ridiculous, and I understand that some people may be offended because it isn’t “homemade,” but I promise you that it makes pasta salad so simple to create and so wonderful when you use this method.

The same concept as today’s, but with bottled ranch dressing and shredded parmesan cheese instead of the fresh parmesan cheese.

The tastes have a wonderful blending effect!

HOW TO MAKE ITALIAN PASTA SALAD

Following the directions on the package, cook a box of multicolored rotini pasta noodles until al dente. Meanwhile, prepare a cucumber, red onion, and grape tomatoes by slicing them in half and chopping them finely. When the pasta is finished cooking, move it to a colander (which is now resting in the sink) and set it aside to drain. Make sure that the faucet is completely closed and set to cold, and allow it to flow over the pasta for several minutes so that it may cool down. You definitely don’t want to put hot spaghetti in the bowl.

Combine all of the ingredients in a mixing dish and whisk until well combined.

Remember to give it a thorough stir, and you may need to add a tablespoon or two of Italian dressing to get it back to a wet consistency.

MY TIPS FOR MAKING EASY ITALIAN PASTA SALAD

• Before adding the dried pasta, be sure to salt the pasta water well. Make an Italian dressing that you just adore. I particularly enjoy the Olive Garden Italian dressing, therefore that is the brand that I purchase. There are a plethora of alternatives. Italian dressings with a kick: zesty Italian dressing, creamy Italian dressing, and parmesan Italian dressing. Choose one that you adore or one that sounds delectable
• For this pasta salad, it’s better if the cucumbers are seeded first. To prepare the cucumber, first peel it and then cut it in half vertically (so you end up with two thinner, longer pieces). Make use of a metal dinner spoon to remove the seeds and meat from the fruit. The cucumber should then be sliced and diced. Use grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes instead of regular tomatoes. Either option will be excellent
• You may eat this pasta salad immediately or store it in the refrigerator for a few hours. In order to avoid pasta salad drying out after sitting in the fridge for a lengthy period of time, avoid making it the day before you want to serve it. As soon as you are ready to serve the salad, or as soon as you are through with the leftovers, give it a good mix and drizzle in a tablespoon or two of the dressing to moisten it all up again. The recipe asks for 3/4 cup Italian dressing, but you may adjust the amount to your liking by adding or subtracting as needed.

TRY THESE OTHER EASY RECIPES FOR PASTA SALADS

• Pasta salads such as dill pickle pasta salad, caesar pesto pasta salad, quick greek pasta salad, southwest pasta salad, and summer veggie pasta salad are all popular choices.

• 1/4 cup finely diced red onion, 1/2 to 1 cup Italian salad dressing, 1 box (12 oz) tricolor rotini pasta, 1 cup chopped cucumber (peeled and seeded, about one cucumber), 1 cup halved cherry or grape tomatoes, 1 cup crumbled feta cheese, 1 can (2.25 oz) sliced black olives, 1/2 – 1 cup Italian salad dressing

• Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Keep in mind to season your pasta water with 1-2 tablespoons of salt before cooking. When the pasta is finished cooking, drain it and run cold water over it to allow the noodles to cool down. Combine the cooked and cooled pasta, cucumber, tomatoes, feta cheese, olives, and red onion in a large mixing bowl until well combined. Pour the Italian dressing over the top and toss to combine. Make a starting point of 1/2 cup Italian dressing and build on it from there. On the salad, I placed about 3/4 cup dressing on it and then set aside the remainder to drizzle over it just before serving to moisten it back up. The dish can either be served immediately or chilled for a few hours before serving. I prefer it cold, so I place it in the refrigerator for 2-4 hours before serving.

Tip: This recipe for Italian pasta salad is quite adaptable! If you want more pasta, feel free to use more than the one box that is asked for in the recipe (of course you will probably have to add more dressing). If you want more olives, tomatoes, or even red onion, then increase the amount of each component in the recipe. To make up for my love of feta cheese, I constantly add additional feta cheese to my dishes. Using an Italian dressing that you enjoy is recommended. Because the flavor is so prominent, choose a high-quality brand.

1. It has been my experience that this is the greatest taste store-bought dressing I’ve come across.
2. Leftovers: Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for many days, they are delicious (about 3-4 days).
3. As a pasta salad rests in the refrigerator, the pasta will absorb the dressing, which might cause the salad to become a little dry.
4. Preparing this salad the day before and refrigerating it for about 2 hours before serving is my preferred method.
5. Cucumbers: I prefer to use micro cucumbers, often known as salad cucumbers, because they have a small number of seeds and are therefore less bitter.
6. Regular cucumbers may be used, but they contain more water and seeds than baby cucumbers, so be careful to remove the seeds and pulpy material from the centre of the cucumber before cutting.
7. You will be left with a crescent moon shape, which you may break up into smaller pieces if you choose.
8. The recipe remains the same; just the photographs have been updated.

calorie count 313kcal|carbohydrate count 39g|protein count 9g|fat count 14g|saturated fat count 4g|cholesterol count 13 mg|sodium count 953mg|potassium count 223mg|fiber count 3g|sugar count 5g|vitamin A 369IU|vitamin C 3mg|calcium count 112mg|iron count 1 mg

Reader Interactions

We independently choose these items, and if you make a purchase after clicking on one of our links, we may receive a commission. Is there a more classic warm-weather side dish than a simple bowl of pasta salad? This refreshing salad stores well, allowing you to create a large quantity to use for no-cook lunches throughout the week. It will be enjoyed by nearly everyone, from your children to your mother-in-law, so make enough! Putting together a pasta salad is as simple as heating water and adding in a few crucial components.

Right now, this is the only pasta salad recipe you’ll ever need.

The Ultimate Easy Pasta Salad

There are a plethora of pasta salads to choose from, but here’s why you should memorize this particular one. The dressing may be quickly created from ingredients that you already have in your cupboard (and totally tastes like yourfavorite bottled Italian dressing). Furthermore, there is no need to be concerned about mayonnaise when attending a picnic or potluck. This recipe is based on a formula that may be readily customized to include your favorite ingredients. You don’t care for olives? Toss in the sun-dried tomatoes.

My personal favorite, on the other hand?

For last-minute get-togethers or for a fast lunch to enjoy during the week, this dish is ideal.

A Simple Pasta Salad Formula You Can Memorize

Here’s a quick and easy technique to ensure that your pasta salad is filled with flavorful ingredients rather than being light on them: Plan on around 1 pound of mix-ins for every 8 ounces of dried pasta, with at least half of that amount consisting of cheese, meat, or other savory mix-ins. Remember that the pasta will plump up as it cooks, and you want each piece of pasta salad to include a substantial blend of pasta and veggies. Approximately 3/4 cup of dressing should be used to dress this amount of pasta and additions.

• Red onions should be marinated in the dressing. Adding raw red onions directly to this salad is out of the question, mostly because their bite can overshadow everything else in a negative way. A easy solution to this problem is to prepare the dressing first and then add the chopped red onions to the dressing before proceeding with the rest of the recipe. In addition to adding flavor to the dressing, red onions will mellow down and become more like a fast pickle as they soak up the vinaigrette
• All of the ingredients should be around the same size as one another. To make this salad as simple to consume as it is to create, all of the ingredients (cucumbers, tomatoes, and even mozzarella) should be diced in some fashion before being added to the dressing. Surprise the pasta. In contrast to potato salad, which benefits from being dressed warm, pasta will soak up all of the dressing and become dry and sticky if it is prepared while still warm. However, you don’t want to be stuck waiting for the pasta to cool and maybe stick to itself as you cook it. What is the most straightforward solution? When finished draining, immediately submerge the strainer of pasta in an ice bath (a big basin filled with equal parts ice and water) to cool it quickly
• Mix and chill before serving. To make the greatest pasta salad, all you have to do is combine the ingredients and refrigerate the dish for at least 30 minutes before serving it. It is for this reason that spaghetti salad tastes even better the next day.

Serving and Storing Pasta Salad

As the pasta salad chills, the flavor may become a bit less intense (cold dulls our sense of taste a little), so taste the salad and season it again just before serving. Pasta salad stores nicely in the refrigerator for approximately five days, making it a simple dish to prepare ahead of time. We believe you should be familiar with this pasta salad because it is versatile and contains everything.

Ingredients

• Half-cup olive oil
• Quarter-cup red wine vinegar
• 2 teaspoons dry Italian spice
• 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1 clove finely chopped garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For the pasta salad:

• 1 medium red onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 medium red onion, finely chopped 6 cups dry short pasta, such as rotini
• 8 cups sliced cherry tomatoes (either halved or quartered)
• 1 small English cucumber, quartered lengthwise and thinly sliced across
• 4 ounces tiny mozzarella balls, drained and halved
• 1 small English cucumber, quartered lengthwise and thinly sliced crosswise Salamis sliced into 1/2-inch-wide strips
• 4 ounces salami slices 5/6 cup halved pitted kalamata olives (half of a cup)
• 1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh parsley leaves

Instructions

1. Prepare the salad dressing. In a small mixing bowl, add all of the dressing ingredients and whisk to incorporate
2. Allow the red onion to soften in the dressing. Stir in the finely chopped red onion until everything is well-combined. Allow to soften while you finish preparing the remainder of the salad
3. Set aside Prepare the pasta. Boil 2 quarts of salted water in a large pot over medium-high heat until the water is bubbly. Cook the pasta until it is al dente — soft but with a slight bite — about 8 minutes, or until it follows the package directions (about 8 minutes). During this time, prepare an ice bath in a big mixing basin. Cool the pasta as soon as possible. Rinse the pasta under cold water after draining it in a colander. Immerse the colander in the ice bath for 5 minutes, then set it aside to cool completely. In a large mixing basin, combine the ingredients for the pasta salad. Drain the spaghetti well. Transfer the mixture to a large mixing basin. Toss the pasta with the dressing, then add the tomatoes, cucumber, mozzarella, salami, olives, and parsley
4. Toss again. Using your hands, toss the pasta with the dressing, including the onions, until everything is well combined. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. Refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld before serving, or overnight.

Recipe Notes

Storage: This pasta salad may be kept in the refrigerator for up to 5 days if stored in an airtight container. If necessary, taste and season again just before serving. Meghan Splawn is a food editor with a variety of skills. Meghan worked as the Food Editor for the Kitchn’s Skills content for a number of years. She specializes in everyday baking, family cuisine, and capturing natural light in her photographs. Meghan approaches eating with an eye on saving money and time while still having a good time.

Meghan holds a bachelor’s degree in baking and pastry arts and spent the first ten years of her professional life as a member of Alton Brown’s culinary team. Didn’t I Just Feed You? is a weekly podcast on food and family that she co-hosts with her husband. FollowMeghan

Pasta Salad

It’s really good. When I run out of Salad Supreme, I make a reasonably excellent substitute by mixing in the individual spices specified on the SS bottle of dressing. After refrigerating overnight, on the day of serving, I may add a little amount of more salad dressing to taste. In addition, you may swap out a variety of items, such as vegetables, cheese cubes, pepperoni slices, or ham cubes, among others. This is a simple template that may be customized.

Most helpful critical review

It’s just fine. The kids didn’t like for it at all, despite the fact that they adore all of the components, which led me to believe it would be a major success. I’m not going to make it again. 297 people have given their opinions.

• Five-star ratings: 214
• Four-star ratings: 61
• Three-star ratings: 14, two-star ratings: four
• And one-star ratings: four

It’s really good. When I run out of Salad Supreme, I make a reasonably excellent substitute by mixing in the individual spices specified on the SS bottle of dressing. After refrigerating overnight, on the day of serving, I may add a little amount of more salad dressing to taste. In addition, you may swap out a variety of items, such as vegetables, cheese cubes, pepperoni slices, or ham cubes, among others. This is a simple template that may be customized. Read MoreThis was a huge hit with the audience!

• It was fantastic!
• I cater on occasion and rely on this resource frequently.
• Half the cherry tomatoes are used along with shredded carrots and celery.
• Make it the day before and store it in a zip lock bag.
• Continue readingAdvertisementI just adore this dish!
• I’ve come up with nothing.
• Read MoreThis dish was delicious, albeit I eliminated the olives and yellow pepper in favor of cucumber for my family’s taste preference.
• Thanks!
• When I serve it at parties, I usually receive a lot of compliments on how beautiful it looks and how delicious it tastes.
• Continue readingAdvertisement Even though I didn’t need to use the entire bottle of dressing, the salad turned out great.

This is a good recipe.

• There was no green pepper in this recipe since I did not have any, but I assumed that the yellow and red peppers would provide enough flavor on their own.
• After two days, we are still savoring the flavors.
• Much better than the pre-made spaghetti salads from a box that I was used to.
• The kids didn’t like for it at all, despite the fact that they adore all of the components, which led me to believe it would be a major success.

Tri-Color Pasta Salad With Italian Dressing

rotini, Italian dressing, mozzarella cheese, bell peppers, black olives, and cherry tomatoes are the main ingredients in this Tri-Color Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing. Your family will devour this pasta salad all summer since the possibilities are infinite and it is so simple to prepare. This pasta salad serves 12 people as a side dish and comes in at around $10.68 in cost. That works out to just $0.89 per serving! Try my Southwest Pasta Salad, Cold Italian Pasta Salad, and Poppy Seed Pasta Salad with Chicken if you’re looking for more excellent pasta salads.

• I don’t know about you, but once May arrives and school is almost over, I start getting the itch for slower days with no schedules, lots of pool time, and less time spent in the kitchen.
• Putting together this Easy Pasta Salad will take you no more than a few minutes, and you’ll be back out at the pool, where we all want to be.
• There is something about it that shouts summer.
• This pasta salad is the greatest meal to bring to any of those get-togethers since it is simple to prepare and everyone enjoys eating it!

Ingredients and Cost

Cost of a single serving: $0.89 Cost of the recipe: $10.68

• Cost of a single serving is $0.89. Approximately $10.68 was spent on this recipe.

NOTE: The pricing for the recipes were estimated by looking at the websites of grocery stores. Based on the items you currently have on hand, you may estimate the cost of the dish in your head.

Instructions

1. Prepare the pasta by boiling it and draining it. Then, return it to the stove and stir in one cup of Italian dressing until well combined. The addition of a small amount of dressing while the pasta is still warm will aid in the pasta’s absorption of the dressing. Removing the cover off the saucepan and cooking till room temperature
2. Once all of your ingredients are combined in a large mixing bowl, drizzle with the remaining Italian dressing and refrigerate for one hour. Then, just before serving, season with salt and pepper to taste.

Pasta Salad Recipe Variations

This salad is one of my favorites to eat all summer long. I like to make a large batch of it at the beginning of the week and then eat it over the entire week. As it rests in the refrigerator, the flavors intensify and become more complex. The following are some of my favorite tweaks or additions to this Tri-Color Pasta Salad dish that I have tried.

• As for pasta, while I prefer tricolor rotini over any other type, some of my favorite choices include bow ties, macaroni (large or tiny), medium or small shells, orzo, and Radiatore pasta. Meats include rotisserie chicken or shredded chicken, small pepperoni, salami, ham, and crispy bacon, among others. It is important to note that bacon is best added just before serving and when you are certain that the salad will be consumed in one sitting, such as during potlucks. This will help to prevent the bacon from becoming mushy or gummy over time. Cucumbers (deseeded so that the pasta salad does not get watery), blanched or roasted broccoli, green onions, artichoke hearts, frozen and thawed corn, sliced zucchini, sliced yellow squash, or red onions are some of the vegetables to use. Beans: garbanzo beans (my fave! ), red kidney beans, white beans, and black beans are among the varieties available. Fresh herbs such as basil, parsley, dill, chives, and cilantro are chopped and added to the dish. Cheddar cheese, Havarti cheese, or Monterey Jack cheese are some options for cheese. Other options are finely chopped shredded cheeses such as Parmesan, crumbled feta cheese, or small mozzarella cheese balls

Storage Tips

SERVE: You may leave the pasta salad out of the refrigerator for approximately two hours before it has to be chilled. STORAGE: The completed salad will keep in the refrigerator for approximately 4-5 days if it is kept covered. MAKE ADVANCED PLANNING:Frozen and thawed pasta salads can be a touch on the mushy side, but they can be frozen. To store the completed pasta salad, place it in a freezer-safe container or Ziploc bag and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. DEFROSTING: Defrost at ambient temperature for about 3 hours or in the refrigerator overnight before using.

Cook’s Tools

• Colander, liquid measuring cup, measuring cup, cutting board, knife, large bowl, mixing spoon, large pot, and other kitchen tools

Recipe FAQs

Is it possible to create this dish a day ahead of time? Yes! Pasta salad may be prepared ahead of time, making it a convenient option for those hectic evenings. Simply keep the second cup of dressing separate and throw it into the pasta salad 10 minutes before serving it to the guests. In the refrigerator, how long does pasta salad last? When stored in an airtight container, pasta salad will remain fresh for 4-5 days at room temperature. Is there anything to serve with cold spaghetti salad? This macaroni salad with Italian dressing, in my opinion, is the ideal side dish for anything you cook on the barbecue this time of year.

When you combine the sausage burgers with this salad, you have a winning combination for a supper.

This would also make an excellent side dish for the pork chops you’re cooking.

Which pasta is the most suitable for salad? Short types of pasta, such as rotini, farfalle, and penne, are the finest for pasta salad since they cook quickly. They have a lot of nooks and crannies that the dressing and herbs can get stuck in.

MoreSaladRecipes

• The following are some variations of pasta salads: Southwest Pasta Salad, Italian Pasta Salad, Hawaiian Macaroni Salad, poppy seed pasta salad, pistachio salad, Italian Salad, cranberry chicken salad, Cobb salad, Creamy Cucumber Salad, spinach salad, black bean corn salad, garden bean salad.

• 3 pounds rotini pasta
• 2 cups Italian dressing
• 8 ounces mozzarella cheesediced
• 2 cups cherry tomatoeshalved
• 8 ounces can pitted and sliced black olivesdrained
• 1 green bell pepperchopped
• 1 red bell pepperchopped
• 1 yellow bell pepperchopped seasoning with salt and pepper

• 3 pounds rotini pasta
• 2 cups Italian dressing
• 8 ounces mozzarella cheesediced
• 2 cups cherry tomatoeshalved
• 8 ounces can pitted and sliced black olivesdrained
• 1 green bell pepperchopped
• 1 red bell pepperchopped
• 1 green bell pepperchopped seasoning with salt and pepper

One cup|319 calories|36 grams of carbohydrates|10 grams of protein|15 grams of fat|4 grams of saturated fat|12 milligrams of cholesterol|806 milligrams of sodium |233 milligrams of potassium|2 grams of fiber|7 grams of sugar|650 international units of vitamin A|26.5 milligrams of vitamin C|174 milligrams of calcium|1 milligram of iron

Reader Interactions

Easy Italian Pasta Salad is a simple side dish that is perfect for any potluck gathering. This easy pasta salad dish includes fresh veggies, olives, pepperoni, and salami, as well as an Italian dressing, which makes it the perfect summer salad for entertaining. Having made this dish for years, it is always a hit with my family and friends.

BEST Italian Pasta Salad Recipe

It’s easy to find Italian Pasta Salad recipes on the internet, each with a different combination of ingredients to suit various palates – which is one of the reasons pasta salads are so popular – but this is the BEST one! This is one of those straightforward recipes that I’ve been cooking for more than two decades but have never thought to share with anyone until now. My mother-in-law taught me how to make this pasta salad when I was young, and I’ve been cooking it for every potluck and summer party since before I got married.

I love that they taste even better when they are made ahead of time; this is a great dish for a potluck or for a quick meal.

Make pasta salads in the morning before it gets too hot, and we can have them for dinner and lunch for a few of days after that.

Ingredients in Italian Pasta Salad

Anything goes – feel free to add whatever you want! This recipe for pasta salad is quite adaptable and works well with a variety of components. I always use pepperoni AND salami in my Italian Pasta Salad since I enjoy both types of meat. The pepperoni in my Pizza Tortellini Pasta Salad is comparable to the pepperoni in this Italian version, which I believe is because pizza and Italian cuisine are related. The following components can be mixed and matched to create your own personal favorite salad:

• Pasta: you may use any shape you choose, but I prefer rotini for this since the ridges help to hold the dressing in place
• Bell peppers can be green, red, or a combination of colors
• Olives– I prefer to use black olives, but you can also use green olives if you want. Pepperoni and salami – or use just one of the two – or even shredded chicken can be included. You may use either fresh or cubed mozzarella cheese, and you can even add shredded parmesan cheese if you like. Tomatoes
• I didn’t include extras like artichokes or pepperoncini, but you may use them if you like

How to make Italian Pasta Salad

1. Prepare the Pasta: To begin, prepare the pasta. Cook it until it is al dente according to the package recommendations. The dressing on the salad can soften it even more if it’s overcooked to begin with, so be careful not to overcook it. Before assembling the salad, allow the pasta to cool. You may use cold water to shock it as you drain it to help stop the cooking process from continuing. 2.Prepare the Vegetables and Meat: While the pasta is cooking, prepare the vegetables and meat. 3.Assemble: After you’ve combined the cooked pasta with the chopped veggies and meat, you may add the cheese and dressing.

With time, this becomes better and better!

What is the best dressing for an Italian Pasta Salad?

Always make use of what you enjoy! When I made this dish, I used a bottle of Italian Dressing from the grocery store.

For example, many various types of Italian Dressing have varied flavors, such as spicy or tuscan. You may also use balsamic vinegar or any other type of vinaigrette that you choose. Do you want to create your own homemade dressing from scratch? Take a look at my recipe for balsamic dressing!

Substitutions

• Remove the salami and/or pepperoni and replace them with rotisserie chicken, deli turkey, or ham instead. Other colored bell peppers can be added. Make a distinctive form of pasta
• Addpepperoncinis
• Instead of black olives, use green olives.

This easy Italian Pasta Salad is a delicious side dish or summer main meal that can be customized to your preferences!

Have you made this recipe?

Use the hashtag itcrazyforcruston or the handle @crazyforcruston on Instagram.

• 12ounces rotini pasta
• 1 red bell pepper diced
• 1 green bell pepper diced
• 18-ouncecan sliced black olivesdrained
• 20 pieces salami quartered
• 20 slices pepperoni halved
• 1pint grape tomatoeshalved
• 8ounces mozzarella cheesediced
• 1container Italian Dressingsee note
• 12ounces rotini pasta

• Cook and drain the pasta according to the package directions. Allow to cool fully. (I prefer to rinse the cooked pasta with cold water to let it cool down more quickly.) Combine the spaghetti with the peppers, olives, salami, pepperoni, tomatoes, and cheese
• Serve immediately. Dress the salad with the dressing of your choice and toss well. Refrigerate until ready to serve. It is possible to prepare the dish up to 8 hours before serving.

Using the package instructions, cook and drain the pasta. Make sure you’re entirely cool before you continue. In order to chill the cooked pasta more quickly, I like to rinse it with cold water after cooking. Combine the spaghetti with the peppers, olives, salami, pepperoni, tomatoes, and cheese; toss to combine; serve immediately Toss the salad with the dressing, if desired. Refrigerate until you’re ready to use it! The dish can be prepared up to 8 hours ahead of time.

Italian Pasta Salad Recipe

Italian Pasta Salad that is both filling and refreshing! Tender pasta, smoked salami, fresh vegetables and herbs, two varieties of cheese, and a zesty homemade Italian dressing come together to form this dish.

The Perfect Summer Pasta Salad

So, what would summer be like if there wasn’t at least one BBQ or picnic that included a refreshing and absolutely delicious cold pasta salad? Because there is so much deliciousness and an abundance of fresh taste in this dish, it will quickly become a new favorite. Each of the components works wonderfully well with the others, each one enhancing the flavor of the others. It also has a nice combination of textures throughout it. Crisp, soft, and chewy are all there in equal measure. Making this side dish is a really hearty and delicious experience, and it goes great with grilled chicken, beef or fish.

For a family supper, the dish may easily be halved to accommodate everyone.

Italian Pasta Salad Recipe Ingredients

• Italian rotini pasta
• Salami
• Grape tomatoes
• Black olives
• Peppers
• Red onion
• Fresh mozzarella pearls
• Parmesan
• Fresh parsley and basil
• Dried oregano
• Olive oil
• Lemons
• Dijon mustard, honey
• Red pepper flakes

The complete recipe may be seen below.

How to Make Italian Pasta Salad

1. Cook pasta: Cook pasta according to package guidelines (I boil it in 5 quarts of water with 1 tablespoon salt until it is just just al dente). Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the cooking water. Pasta that is cool: Transfer the pasta to a baking sheet with a rim that measures 18 by 13 inches and spread it out to cool for 15 minutes, then serve. Prepare the following ingredients for the pasta salad: Preparing the ingredients while the pasta is boiling and cooling To make Italian dressing, follow these steps: To make the dressing, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, mustard, honey, garlic, red pepper flakes, and a pinch of salt and pepper to taste in a medium-sized mixing bowl. In a large mixing bowl, combine the pasta, vegetables, and cheeses: Pasta should be served cold. Combine salami, tomatoes, olives, bell peppers, red onion, mozzarella pearls, parmesan, parsley, and basil in a large mixing bowl. Serve immediately. Toss with the dressing and the pasta water and serve: Dressing should be whisked one more time before being poured over the items in the bowl along with 1/4 cup pasta water. Toss well to coat everything evenly. If extra space is required, include the following: Thin with additional pasta water if desired, and season with additional salt as necessary. It can be served immediately, or chilled for 1–2 hours to make a cooler, more refreshing pasta salad, as described above.

Possible Variations

Here are some excellent substitutes that you may use with what you already have on hand:

• Another medium-sized pasta, such as fusilli, gemelli, penne, cavatappi or bow tie pasta, can be used for the fusilli

• Cheeses: Romano cheese is a good substitute for parmesan cheese in this situation. Fresh mozzarella can be substituted with processed block mozzarella, which should be chopped into tiny pieces. Meat: Pepperoni might be used to make salami (you wouldn’t need to use as much as you would with other meats)
• Veggies: Try substituting half of the bell pepper with a cucumber. Kalamata olives can be substituted for black olives (use half the quantity because they are quite pungent)
• If you don’t have fresh basil, use 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil instead. It’s much less because it’s stronger and has a distinct flavor
• Yet, Depending on how much of the flavor you want to come through (extra virgin olive oil has a greater taste), you may use either extra virgin olive oil or refined standard extra virgin olive oil for the dressing. In place of the lemon juice, 3 tablespoons of red wine vinegar can be used. For some reason, I love the citrusy flavor of lemon. If you’re in a hurry, you may use 1 cup of your favorite store-bought Italian dressing for this recipe. If it has a strong herby flavor, simply reduce the amount of herbs used in the recipe.

Helpful Tips

• Cooking pasta past al dente will result in the pasta being quite soggy once it has absorbed some of the dressing. Just right to al dente, or even a few seconds shy of perfection
• Cut ingredients into small pieces to ensure consistency and to ensure that every mouthful contains a little of each taste. Allow pasta salad to marinate for a few hours or overnight so that the vegetables and pasta may absorb additional flavor. Allow 1 – 2 hours for refrigerating before serving if you want a cool and refreshing salad during the hot summer months. Store in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

More Delicious Pasta Salad Recipes to Try

• The following pasta salad recipes are available: Caprese Pasta Salad, Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad, Easy Pasta Salad, Macaroni Salad (including Mexican Macaroni Salad), Poppy Seed Chicken and Grape Pasta Salad, and Poppy Seed Chicken and Grape Pasta Salad.

Italian Pasta Salad

It’s packed with nutrients and is quite refreshing! Tender pasta, smoked salami, fresh vegetables and herbs, two varieties of cheese, and a zesty homemade Italian dressing come together to form this dish. Perfect for a picnic or a summer meal under the stars. Servings:12 Prep30minutes Cook6minutes Ready in 30 minutes or less

• A 16-ounce bag of dry rotini
• 10 ounces hard salami, sliced 1/4-inch thick and chopped
• 3 cups (16 ounces) ripe grape tomatoes, halved
• 1 (6-ounce) can black olives, sliced
• 2cups chopped bell peppers (I like to use yellow and green)
• 1/2 cup chopped red onion
• 8-ounces fresh mozzarella pearls*
• 3 ounces fresh parmesan** (3/4 cup)
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley

Dressing

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper flakes, or to taste seasoned with salt and freshly ground black pepper

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper flakes (or to taste)
• Peppercorns that have just been freshly ground.

• *If you are unable to locate pearls of fresh mozzarella in the desired size, chopped fresh mozzarella (log or ball form) can be substituted. Simply chop the meat into little pieces.

• Cut the parmesan into 1-inch cubes and place them in the food processor to grate the cheese. Process for about a minute or so, until the basil is finely crushed
• ***1 1/2 tsp dried basil can be substituted for the fresh
• If using dried basil, incorporate it into the dressing before serving. This recipe yields approximately 18 cups.

Nutritional Values Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing The amount of calories in one serving is 529 calories from fat, which is 315 percent of the daily value*. The amount of fat in one serving is 35 grams. 9 g of Saturated Fat (54 percent). 3 grams of polyunsaturated fat (56 percent) Monounsaturated Fatty Acids: 20 g Cholesterol38mg Sodium (13 percent): 1005 milligrams Potassium (44 percent) 413 milligrams 12% carbohydrate content (36 grams). Sugar 5g, 12 percent Fiber 3g, and 13 percent Fiber 3g 6 percent of the total protein18g36 percent Vitamin A2063IU41 percent Vitamin C62mg Vitamin A2063IU41 percent Vitamin C62mg 75% of calcium216mg22 percent of iron2mg11 % of sodium A 2000-calorie diet is used to calculate the percent Daily Values (%DV).

The Best Easy Pasta Salad

Pasta Salad – made with pasta, tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, spicy salami, pepperoncini, olives, and a simple Italian vinaigrette – is quick and easy to prepare. DANGEROUSLY DELICIOUS. Meet your new best friend for the summer: A ridiculously simple pasta salad made with spaghetti, juicy tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, red onion, salami, olives, herbs, and a smothering of a fast homemade dressing is served at the table. If you want to know what I’ve been eating for four of my past five meals, go no further than THIS SUMMER ESSENTIAL BOOK.

We’re having a bit of a downtime right now. Let’s take a time to reflect on this together. In my opinion, a good traditional pasta salad may be used in one of two ways: first, it can be used to serve a large group of people; second, it can be used to serve a small group of people.

• Attending a picnic, potluck, or other end-of-summer get-together when everyone brings something to share
• Attending a concert
• Taking care of the leftover meat, cheese, and veggies in my fridge and transforming them into a dinner that I could enjoy every single day

This spaghetti salad will satisfy both of your needs.

How Do You Make Pasta Salad?

Do you have two and a half seconds left on the clock? Cool. You will require the following materials: It’s just some random crap. It has a great deal of adaptability. The following are some of my favorite pasta salad toppings: Salami with a kick of heat. Cheeses that are delicious. Tomatoes or some other non-threatening vegetable that is nice to you. Greens of some type – even if it’s only a handful of fresh parsley – are always welcome. Olives, red onions, and pepperoncini are among the ingredients.

Rotini is one of my favorite pasta dishes.

When it comes to sauce soakage, the semi-rough texture is unparalleled.

What About A Pasta Salad Dressing?

Thank you for your inquiry. This is quite crucial. We’re in desperate need of a zesty Italian dressing. Using a blender or food processor, it takes around 60 seconds to make it from scratch. You prepared that dressing, you are the pasta salad king or queen. The final step is to Toss everything together, taste, and adjust as needed, and use every self-control muscle in your body to avoid devouring the entire dish before everyone arrives at the party. I’d want to provide one more piece of advise.

This is the perfect supper for a busy weeknight.

Cook some spaghetti, put it all together, and you’ve got yourself a meal.

I’ll be there in a jiffy, promise.

Check Out Our Video For How To Make Pasta Salad:

A quick and easy pasta salad with spaghetti, tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, spicy salami, pepperoncini, olives, and a simple Italian vinaigrette is all you need. DANGEROUSLY DELICIOUS.

Pasta Salad Essentials:

• 2 pounds raw pasta
• 3 cups chopped cherry tomatoes
• 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese balls
• 1 pound salami or summer sausage sliced into cubes
• 1 pound uncooked pasta
• 1 pound uncooked pasta 3/4 cup sliced kalamata olives
• 3/4 cup pepperoncini (optional, but do it)
• 1/2 cup sliced red onion
• 1/2 cup fresh parsley, minced
• 3/4 cup feta cheese

Italian Pasta Salad Dressing:

• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup white vinegar (either white vinegar or red wine vinegar will work)
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 tablespoons coarse sea salt (yes, tablespoons – see notes! )
• 2 cloves garlic (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 teaspoons each dried oregano and dried basil
• Black pepper to taste
• Fresh herbs if desired I occasionally garnish with fresh parsley, basil, or chives.

1. Cook the pasta according to the package recommendations, adding salt to the water to enhance the flavor. After allowing it cool slightly, drizzle a little oil over the top to keep it from sticking. Shake the dressing together in a jar or blend it in a blender. Combine all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl. It’s best for me to use around three-quarters of the dressing and then keep the remaining dressing to use on leftovers. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. I believe it tastes finest the next day after it is prepared

Notes

Salt For your information, please keep in mind that the amount indicated is for COARSE sea salt. If you’re using fine table salt, start with 2 tablespoons and adjust the seasoning to your liking. The dressing will be quite salty in its own right. For example, a typical salad would be far too salty. However, with this recipe, that is exactly what we want! It will be combined with a whole pound of plain spaghetti and a large amount of fresh, unseasoned veggies, and it will taste absolutely great after everything has been mixed together.

To make a more veg-forward version, try adding blanched green beans, fresh spinach, artichokes, red or yellow peppers, chickpeas, or other vegetables.

Alternatively, various varieties of cheese (feta? parmesan?) or different forms of pasta (penne? fusili?) might be used. (Perhaps even some tortellini?). The options are virtually limitless. I enjoy this salad as-is, but I really appreciate how adaptable it is!

• Preparation time: 30 minutes
• Cooking time: 5 minutes
• Category: Side
• Method: Mix
• Cuisine: American
• Time: 30 minutes

Pasta salad, pasta salad recipe, finest pasta salad, potluck dish, summer meal are some of the terms that come to mind. Recipe Card created with the assistance of

Try Our Other Pasta Salad Recipes

• Pasta Salad with Marinated Chickpeas (fresh, bright, and easy! )
• Zippy Orzo Summer Salad (made easy with rotisserie chicken)
• Lemongrass Vermicelli Salad (that dressing, though)
• Spicy Peanut Soba Noodle Salad (lots of fresh veggies and noodles – just how we like it)
• And Lemongrass Vermicelli Salad.

One More Thing!

This recipe is a part of our collection of quick and simple pasta dishes. Take a look at it!