Pasta Salad

This tasty and easy pasta salad recipe is tossed with Italian dressing, veggies, mozzarella, protein and olives takes about 15 minutes to toss together. A perfect side dish for BBQ’s or any occasion!

PASTA SALAD RECIPE

If you ever need a simple and delicious go-to recipe for your holiday party, BBQ, picnic or family get-together. This recipe is one of the best pasta salad recipes out there with so much flavor.  I love how easy it is to throw together.

You can literally throw in a wide variety of noodles, veggies, cheeses (feta cheese, mozzarella, sharp cheddar or parmesan cheese) olives, meats (chicken, ham or summer sausage), etc. which makes the salad the perfect recipe to make when you might be in a pinch.

HOW TO MAKE PASTA SALAD

The great thing about them is that most people really love a good salad. You can also cater them to fit your personal tastes and simply leave out or add something you personally love to them!

I recently served this at a family get together we had for my nephew who just returned home from serving a two year mission in the Philippines for our church.  There were about 30 people at this gathering and the salad was gobbled right up. Next time I will make extra and save some at home in the fridge for me to eat as leftovers..haha! Below are the pasta salad ingredients that we like to use.

INGREDIENTS:

• Rotini Pasta
• Mozzarella Cheese
• Cherry Tomatoes
• Summer Sausage
• Cucumbers
• Black Olives
• Parmesan Cheese
• Italian Dressing

DIRECTIONS:

1. Fill a large pot with cold water and salted water. Heat water up until boiling. Add Rotini. Drain. Let Cool.
2. In a large bowl add Pasta and all ingredients to bowl and toss.
3. Refrigerate 1 hour before serving.
4. Add a little more Italian Dressing right before serving.

3.54 from 13 votes

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Best Pasta Salad Recipe

This tasty and easy pasta salad recipe takes about 15 minutes to toss together and has only 8 ingredients! Perfect side dish recipe.

Course Pasta, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 13 minutes

Total Time 28 minutes

Servings 10

Calories 113 kcal

Author Amy

Ingredients

• 4 cups tri-colored rotini pasta
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese cubed
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
• 1 cup summer sausage cubed
• 1 cup cucumbers chopped
• 1 small can (½ cup) sliced black olives
• ½ cup parmesan cheese shredded
• 1 cup Italian Dressing

Instructions

1. Cook rotini according the package directions. Let cool.
2. Add pasta and remaining ingredients in a bowl and toss.
3. Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.
4. Add a little more italian dressing right before serving if it is a little dry!
5. Serve and Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Best Pasta Salad Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 113 Calories from Fat 72

% Daily Value*

Fat 8g12%

Saturated Fat 2g13%

Cholesterol 12mg4%

Sodium 385mg17%

Potassium 83mg2%

Carbohydrates 4g1%

Sugar 3g3%

Protein 4g8%

Vitamin A 205IU4%

Vitamin C 3.9mg5%

Calcium 122mg12%

Iron 0.3mg2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

WHAT TYPE OF PASTA MAKES THE BEST PAST SALAD?

The type of pasta you use really does matter. I like the pasta al dente. I dislike it when it falls apart. You can use gluten-free pasta too.

It’s best to choose hearty pasta shapes like penne, fusilli, rotini, and farfalle (bow tie). I love these pastas because they trap the dressing and bits of cheese inside them.

WHAT ARE THE BEST VEGETABLES TO USE?

I like to add an assortment of veggies for crunch and color. We love adding bell pepper, red peppers, cucumber or zucchini, halved cherry tomatoes, kalamata olives, fresh herbs like parsley and thinly sliced green onion or red onion. You can really add any other vegetables that you enjoy eating.

HOW LONG CAN PASTA SALAD BE KEPT IN THE FRIDGE? 

If stored properly in a sealed airtight container in the refrigerator, pasta salad can last for up to 3-4 days. The length of its shelf life depends ultimate on the ingredients used to make it, how it’s stored, but it can also deteriorate faster than 3-4 days. You can serve this cold pasta salad warm or cold right out of the fridge.

SALAD RECIPES

• Cold Tortellini Salad Recipe
• Frog Eye Salad
• Pasta Salad in a Jar
• Pasta Salad Recipes

Go ahead and make it! I think you will love it!

Thanks for stopping by! I always love having you! xo