Pasta Salad Italiano
Bright, zesty, and bursting with Mediterranean flavors, Pasta Salad Italiano is the ultimate crowd-pleaser for any occasion. This vibrant cold pasta salad combines tender rotini pasta with a colorful medley of fresh vegetables, including juicy cherry tomatoes, crunchy cucumber, crisp red bell pepper, and tangy black olives, all tossed in a bold Italian dressing. Grated parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh parsley add a savory depth, while a brief chill in the refrigerator ensures every bite is infused with flavor. Perfect as a light lunch, a refreshing summer side dish, or a potluck favorite, this simple yet flavorful recipe is ready in just 30 minutes and serves up to six. Wholesome, delicious, and incredibly easy to make—Pasta Salad Italiano is your go-to dish for any gathering or meal prep.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces rotini pasta
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 1 large cucumber
- 1 medium red bell pepper
- 1 cup black olives
- 0.5 medium red onion
- 0.5 cup parmesan cheese
- 0.25 cup fresh parsley
- 0.75 cup Italian dressing
- 0.5 teaspoons salt
- 0.25 teaspoons black pepper
Instructions
Cook the rotini pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool it down quickly. Set aside.
While the pasta cooks, prepare the vegetables: halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, seed and dice the red bell pepper, slice the black olives, and finely dice the red onion.
Chop fresh parsley into small pieces and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, black olives, and red onion.
Add the grated parmesan cheese and chopped parsley to the bowl.
Pour the Italian dressing over the pasta and vegetables, then toss everything together until evenly coated.
Season with salt and black pepper to taste, mixing well to distribute the seasoning.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together.
Before serving, give the salad a gentle toss to redistribute the dressing. Serve chilled and enjoy your Pasta Salad Italiano!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2259 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 74.1 g | 95% | |
| Saturated Fat | 17.6 g | 88% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 19.8 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 44 mg | 15% | |
| Sodium | 4286 mg | 186% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 331.5 g | 121% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 24.2 g | 86% | |
| Total Sugars | 53.0 g | ||
| Protein | 68.7 g | 137% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 856 mg | 66% | |
| Iron | 24.3 mg | 135% | |
| Potassium | 2735 mg | 58% | |
*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.
