Colorful and Creamy Pasta Salad: A Simple 15-Minute Recipe
A colorful and creamy pasta salad packed with fresh vegetables, cheese, and tangy Italian dressing—perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a quick side dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 8 ounces rotini or penne pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup Italian dressing (or more to taste)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
1. Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool completely.
2. In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, bell pepper, black olives, and cheddar cheese.
3. Pour Italian dressing over the mixture and toss until evenly coated.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
6. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Notes
For extra creaminess, mix in a few tablespoons of mayonnaise or sour cream.
Use whole wheat or gluten-free pasta as a substitute if needed.
Add protein like grilled chicken, tuna, or chickpeas to make it a complete meal.
Best served chilled and can be made a day ahead.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Find it online: https://paulakitchen.com/colorful-and-creamy-pasta-salad/