Description
This Italian Pasta Salad is a fresh and flavorful dish perfect for summertime lunches, potlucks, or as a light dinner option. Featuring a colorful mix of rotini pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, olives, mozzarella, and a zesty Italian dressing, it combines vibrant textures and tastes that are sure to satisfy. Ready in just 30 minutes, this salad is both easy to prepare and deliciously refreshing.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz rotini pasta (or any short pasta)
Vegetables & Cheese
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
- 1/2 cup mini mozzarella balls (bocconcini), halved
- 1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Meat (Optional)
- 1/2 cup sliced salami or pepperoni (optional)
Dressing & Seasoning
- 1/2 cup Italian dressing (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Once cooked, drain and rinse the pasta under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down completely.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, red bell pepper, finely chopped red onion, sliced black olives, halved mozzarella balls, sliced salami or pepperoni if using, and shredded Parmesan cheese.
- Add Dressing: Pour the Italian dressing over the combined salad ingredients. Toss gently but thoroughly until every ingredient is evenly coated in the dressing.
- Season and Garnish: Season the salad with salt and black pepper to your taste. Stir in freshly chopped parsley for added freshness and color.
- Chill: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving. This resting time allows the flavors to meld beautifully for the best taste.
Notes
- You can substitute rotini with other short pasta shapes such as penne or fusilli.
- For a vegetarian option, omit the salami or pepperoni.
- Use homemade Italian dressing for a fresher taste, or select your favorite store-bought brand.
- Make the salad a few hours in advance and refrigerate to enhance flavor melding.
- Add extra veggies like artichoke hearts or roasted red peppers for more variety.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian
