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Italian Pasta Salad Best Easy Side Dish Recipe

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Italian Pasta Salad is a fresh colorful side dish made with pasta, crisp vegetables, cheese, and zesty Italian dressing. Perfect for potlucks, picnics, BBQs, meal prep, lunch boxes, and family dinners.

Ingredients

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  • 16 ounces rotini pasta
  • 1 to 1 1/4 cups Italian dressing
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 cucumber diced
  • 1 red bell pepper diced
  • 1/2 green bell pepper diced
  • 1/2 red onion sliced
  • 1/2 cup black olives sliced
  • 1 cup mozzarella pearls
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup chopped salami optional
  • 2 tablespoons parsley
  • 1 tablespoon basil optional

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta until al dente.
  2. Drain and rinse cold.
  3. Cool completely.
  4. Add pasta and vegetables to bowl.
  5. Add cheese and salami.
  6. Pour dressing over salad.
  7. Toss well.
  8. Chill 1 hour.
  9. Toss again and add more dressing if needed.
  10. Serve cold.

Notes

  • Use rotini for best texture.
  • Add more dressing after chilling.
  • Great made one day ahead.
  • Store refrigerated up to 4 days.
  • Use chickpeas for vegetarian version.
  • Perfect for BBQs and potlucks.
  • Salt pasta water for best flavor.
  • Cut vegetables bite size.
  • Do not freeze.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://recipeeasily.com/italian-pasta-salad/