ITALIAN PASTA SALAD

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A bowl full of colorful Italian Pasta salad ready for a potluck!

TIPS TO MAKE THE PERFECT ITALIAN PASTA SALAD

  • Cut your veggies small: Cutting your vegetables into pieces slightly smaller than bite-sized will ensure that you get a taste of everything in each bite!
  • Don’t overcook your noodles: Overcooking your noodles will result in a mushier pasta salad, as the acids from the Italian dressing will break down the starches farther. Shock your noodles once they are cooked al dente in cold water for best results!
  • Cool your pasta slightly before adding the rest of your toppings: You don’t want to begin to cook your vegetables while you toss everything together!
  • Let your pasta salad sit before you serve it: This gives the dressing a chance to really permeate your veggies and pasta, resulting in a more flavorful and delicious Italian pasta salad!
  • Keep it colorful: If you are adding some extra veggies you have on hand, keep your pasta salad fun and colorful! I love adding things like artichokes, shredded carrots, sundried tomatoes, peppers, etc.

SERVINGS: 12 SERVINGS
ITALIAN PASTA SALAD
PREP TIME:
 
10 MINS
 
COOK TIME:
 
10 MINS
TOTAL TIME:
 
20 MINS
 
AUTHOR: HOLLY
 
COURSE: SIDE DISH
CUISINE: ITALIAN
KEYWORD: ITALIAN PASTA SALAD
Tender pasta, ripe juicy tomatoes, crisp bell peppers, salami and mozzarella cheese are tossed in an Italian dressing for the perfect make ahead side dish.
INGREDIENTS
  • 16 oz tricolor rotini
  • 1/2 green bell pepper diced
  • 1/2 orange bell pepper diced
  • 1/2 red bell pepper diced
  • 1 pint grape tomatoes halved
  • 1/2 cup sliced black olives
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese cubed
  • 1/3 cup red onion diced
  • 8 oz salami chopped
  • 1 cup bottled Italian vinaigrette dressing
  • 1/3 cup shredded parmesan cheese
  • 3 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • salt & pepper to taste
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INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Cook pasta al dente according to package directions. Rinse under cold water.
  2. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Add dressing and toss.
  3. Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.

NUTRITION INFORMATION
 Calories: 324, Fat: 14g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 24mg, Sodium: 817mg, Potassium: 314mg, Carbohydrates: 34g, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 5g, Protein: 12g, Vitamin A: 17.1%, Vitamin C: 28.8%, Calcium: 10.4%, Iron: 6.3%