Description
This Italian Dressing Pasta Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish perfect for warm weather gatherings. Bursting with colorful vegetables and tossed in a tangy Italian dressing, it’s both visually appealing and delicious. Quick to prepare, this pasta salad can be served as a side or main course, making it an ideal choice for summer barbecues, picnics, or family dinners. With its combination of textures and flavors, this pasta salad is sure to impress your guests!
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz tri-color rotini pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 medium cucumber, diced
- ½ medium red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup bell peppers (mixed colors), chopped
- ½ cup black olives, sliced
- ½ cup Italian dressing (store-bought or homemade)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the rotini according to package instructions in salted water until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- While the pasta cooks, prep the vegetables: halve cherry tomatoes, dice cucumber, slice red onion, and chop bell peppers.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta with the prepared veggies, black olives, and Parmesan cheese.
- Pour the Italian dressing over the salad mixture. Start with half a cup and adjust to taste.
- Gently toss everything together until well mixed. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld.
- Toss again before serving and enjoy chilled.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (150g)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 10mg