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

Best Pasta Salad Recipe
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
-
Cook rotini according the package directions. Let cool.
-
Add pasta and remaining ingredients in a bowl and toss.
-
Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.
-
Add a little more italian dressing right before serving if it is a little dry!
-
Serve and Enjoy!
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
Go ahead and make it! I think you will love it!
Thanks for stopping by! I always love having you! xo
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Your pasta salad looks so delicious! I love the added ingredients. Thank you for sharing the recipe with us!
Diana-So happy you enjoyed the recipe!
I like sundried tomato dressing in my pasta salad.
That does sound so delicious!
I love pasta salad! Whoever said sundried tomatoes dressing just made my mouth water. Seriously!
DeeDee- Hope you enjoy the recipe.
what is summer sausage? this looks good
Judy-Summer Sausage is a dry cured meat that is heavily seasoned. It is so delicious!
I like your pasta salad very much my dear,
Elijah, So happy you enjoyed this recipe!
Pasta salads are a must with everything, especially during summer!! This is super easy & always gone so fast!
Kristyn-They really are! Love pasta salad!
So unique and amazing recipe! Thank you so much for this fantastic pasta salad recipe! It’s super easy to make and it taste really flavorful! Will make it again for sure!
Allyssa- So happy you enjoyed the recipe!
This is my go-to salad for most occasions! Everyone loves it! The sausage makes it so hearty!
It is our go-to recipe too!
We are making this pasta salad a few times a month, sometimes it feels like once a week! We all love it so much! It’s the easiest pasta salad to make!
Kristyn- We make it all the time too!