Description
Italian Pasta Salad is a delightful dish that embodies the essence of summer gatherings. This colorful salad combines perfectly cooked rotini pasta with fresh vegetables, savory pepperoni, and creamy cheeses, all tossed in a zesty Italian dressing. Ready in just 15 minutes, it’s not only quick to prepare but also bursting with vibrant flavors that will please any crowd. Whether enjoyed as a side at barbecues or as a satisfying main for lunch, this versatile salad is perfect for meal prep and holds up well in the fridge for days.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz rotini pasta
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1 green bell pepper (diced)
- 1 can black olives (6 oz, drained)
- 1/2 pound mozzarella cheese (cubed)
- 6 oz shredded Parmesan cheese
- 4 oz pepperoni (cut in half)
- 8 oz Italian dressing
Instructions
- Boil a large pot of water and cook the rotini pasta until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, bell pepper, and black olives.
- Pour Italian dressing over the mixture and add shredded Parmesan cheese. Toss gently to coat.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving to allow flavors to meld.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1 cup (150g)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 30mg