Description
A delightful Italian Pasta Salad, perfect for summer picnics and gatherings. This easy, colorful dish is a hit for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces pasta (e.g., rotini or penne)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, diced
- 1 cup olives (e.g., black or green), sliced
- 1 cup pepperoni, sliced
- 1/2 cup red onion, diced
- 1/2 cup bell peppers, diced
- 1/2 cup Italian dressing
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente, drain, and rinse under cold water.
- Mix the cooled pasta with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, olives, pepperoni, red onion, and bell peppers in a large mixing bowl.
- Dress the salad by pouring Italian dressing over the mixture and toss gently to combine.
- Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with fresh basil before serving.
- Enjoy the salad with family and friends!
Notes
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days. For best texture, keep dressing separate until ready to serve.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: Italian pasta salad, summer salad, picnic salad, easy pasta salad, colorful salad