Description
This easy pasta salad is loaded with colorful vegetables, mozzarella, and a zesty Italian dressing. It’s fresh, flavorful, and perfect for picnics, potlucks, BBQs, or meal prep, combining tender rotini pasta with crisp veggies and a tangy homemade Italian dressing.
Ingredients
Pasta and Vegetables
- 12 oz (340 g) rotini pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup black olives, sliced
Cheeses and Herbs
- 1 cup mozzarella pearls
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
Italian Dressing
- ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the rotini pasta according to package directions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta for the salad.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta with cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, diced red bell pepper, thinly sliced red onion, sliced black olives, mozzarella pearls, grated Parmesan cheese, and chopped fresh parsley for a colorful, flavorful base.
- Make Dressing: Whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper until the dressing is smooth and emulsified.
- Toss Salad: Pour the prepared dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture and toss everything together thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated in the flavorful dressing.
- Chill: Refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill, making it refreshing and tasty.
Notes
- Add salami, grilled chicken, or chickpeas for extra protein to make it a more substantial meal.
- Toss the salad again before serving if it has been chilled for several hours to redistribute the dressing.
- Store leftover pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days to maintain freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian-American
