Ingredients
– 8 ounces of rotini or penne pasta
– 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
– 1 cup cucumber, diced
– 1 cup bell pepper, diced (any color)
– ½ cup red onion, finely chopped
– 1 cup black olives, sliced
– 1 cup mozzarella cheese, cubed
– ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated
– ½ cup Italian dressing (store-bought or homemade)
– 1 tablespoon dried oregano
– Salt and pepper to taste
These ingredients will come together to create a deliciously satisfying salad that everyone will love.
Instructions
Creating Italian Pasta Salad is simple with these straightforward steps:
1. Cook Pasta: Begin by boiling water in a large pot. Add the rotini or penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
2. Prepare Vegetables: While the pasta is cooking, chop the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, and red onion.
3. Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chopped vegetables, olives, mozzarella cheese, and grated parmesan cheese.
4. Add Dressing: Drizzle the Italian dressing over the salad mixture.
5. Season: Sprinkle with dried oregano, salt, and pepper to taste.
6. Toss Salad: Gently toss all ingredients together until well combined, ensuring that the dressing coats everything evenly.
7. Chill: For the best flavors, cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
8. Serve: Once ready to serve, give the salad another gentle toss and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a magnificent Italian Pasta Salad ready to impress!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6-8
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Fat: 12g
- Protein: 8g