Easy Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing
This refreshing pasta salad is the perfect side dish for busy days or sunny picnics. Featuring vibrant tri-color rotini, crisp bell peppers, juicy cherry tomatoes, and creamy mozzarella balls, it offers a delightful mix of textures. Dressed in a zesty, herby Italian vinaigrette, this salad is a crowd-pleaser that only gets better as it marinates, making it an ideal choice for weekly meal prep or stress-free entertaining.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 10
- Total Time: 20
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
1 pound box tri-color rotini pasta
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 cups cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
1 cup black olives, sliced
8 ounces fresh mozzarella pearls
1 cup Italian dressing (alcohol-free)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rotini according to package directions until al dente.
Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, red onion, black olives, and mozzarella pearls.
Pour the Italian dressing over the salad and toss gently until all ingredients are well combined.
Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
Notes
Feel free to add other fresh vegetables like cucumbers or baby spinach. You can store this in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For the best flavor, bring to room temperature for 10 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Find it online: https://paulakitchen.com/easy-pasta-salad-with-italian-dressing/