Easy Italian Pasta Salad
Bursting with vibrant flavors and fresh ingredients, this Easy Italian Pasta Salad is the ultimate crowd-pleaser for potlucks, picnics, or weeknight dinners. Tender rotini pasta is combined with juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, red bell pepper, zesty red onion, and rich black olives for a medley of color and texture. Cubed mozzarella and savory pepperoni slices add indulgent bites, while a generous drizzle of zesty Italian dressing ties everything together. Finished with grated Parmesan and fresh parsley, this quick and easy pasta salad comes together in just 30 minutes and is best served chilled for a refreshing, make-ahead dish that’s full of bold Italian flavors. Perfect for busy schedules, this recipe is a hit for any occasion!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz Rotini pasta
- 1.5 cups Cherry tomatoes
- 1 large Cucumber
- 1 Red bell pepper
- 0.5 Red onion
- 1 cup Black olives
- 1 cup Mozzarella cheese (cubed)
- 0.5 cup Pepperoni slices
- 1 cup Italian dressing
- 0.25 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp Fresh parsley (chopped)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rotini pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
While the pasta cooks, prepare the vegetables: halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber and red bell pepper, and thinly slice the red onion.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, black olives, cubed mozzarella cheese, and pepperoni slices.
Pour the Italian dressing over the pasta mixture and toss thoroughly to evenly coat all the ingredients.
Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley over the top, and toss gently to combine.
Cover the bowl and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 1 hour to let the flavors meld together.
Before serving, give the salad a quick toss and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve chilled and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3583 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 180.1 g | 231% | |
| Saturated Fat | 63.3 g | 316% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 26.1 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 318 mg | 106% | |
| Sodium | 7497 mg | 326% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 347.4 g | 126% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 23.2 g | 83% | |
| Total Sugars | 62.3 g | ||
| Protein | 136.9 g | 274% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.3 mcg | 6% | |
| Calcium | 2378 mg | 183% | |
| Iron | 27.7 mg | 154% | |
| Potassium | 3120 mg | 66% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
