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Best Easy Pasta Salad

Best Easy Pasta Salad

Enjoy the vibrant flavors of the Best Easy Pasta Salad, a delightful dish perfect for any occasion. Packed with colorful vegetables, creamy mozzarella, and a zesty Italian dressing, this salad is not only visually appealing but incredibly simple to prepare. Whether for a summer BBQ, holiday potluck, or casual family dinner, it serves as a fantastic side that can be made ahead of time, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. With its versatility, you can customize it to suit your taste by adding your favorite veggies or proteins. This crowd-pleaser is sure to leave your guests asking for seconds—and the recipe.

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: Serves approximately 12 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound rotini pasta
  • 1 red bell pepper (chopped)
  • 1 yellow bell pepper (chopped)
  • 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes (halved)
  • ½ cup chopped red onion
  • 3.8 ounce can sliced black olives
  • 4 ounces mozzarella cheese (cubed)
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 cup Italian dressing

Instructions

  1. Boil salted water in a large pot and cook rotini until al dente. Drain and rinse with cool water.
  2. Set pasta aside to cool while chopping vegetables: bell peppers, tomatoes, and red onion.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta with chopped vegetables, olives, mozzarella, Parmesan, parsley, and Italian dressing. Stir well.
  4. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least two hours before serving.
  • Author: Natalia
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Mixing
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
  • Calories: 320
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 570mg
  • Fat: 15g
  • Saturated Fat: 6g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 35g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 10g
  • Cholesterol: 25mg

Keywords: For added protein, consider incorporating chickpeas or grilled chicken. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper before serving.