Easy Pasta Salad Recipe

Quick and Easy Pasta Salad

This easy pasta salad is flexible based on the ingredients you have in your kitchen or the season. Start with a hearty pasta shape that has nooks and crannies to hold onto the dressing like rotini or penne. Then toss with our simple dressing and lots of colorful vegetables. We also love adding parmesan cheese, which melts into the dressing as well as a handful of fresh mozzarella balls. For more suggestions for what to add, read through our recommendations in the article above.

Prep: 10min

Total: 20min

Yield: Makes about 10 servings

Serving Size: 1/10 of the salad

Nutrition Facts: servingSize 1/10 of the salad, calories 363, Fat 19.1g, Saturated Fat 5.1g, Cholesterol 18.3mg, Sodium 507.1mg, Carbohydrate 36.6g, Fiber 2.3g, Sugar 2g, Protein 11.7g

Ingredients:

• 1 pound dried pasta like fusilli, penne, rotini or farfalle (bow tie)
• 1 cup sliced bell pepper (1 medium)
• 1 cup thinly sliced zucchini (1/2 medium)
• 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
• 1/3 cup thinly sliced scallions (5 to 6)
• 1/4 cup sliced pepperoncini or banana peppers, optional
• 1 cup (4 ounces) halved mixed olives
• 1 cup (2 ounces) grated parmesan cheese or hard cheese
• 1 cup (6 ounces) fresh mozzarella balls, chopped
• 1/3 cup fresh parsley or basil, optional
• 1/3 cup red wine vinegar, white wine vinegar or champagne vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt, plus more to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 to 3 tablespoons juice from pepperoncini jar, optional
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Instruction:

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until tender, 6 to 10 minutes (check the package for recommended cook time). Drain and rinse well under cold water.
2. While the pasta cooks, in the bottom of a large bowl, make the dressing. Whisk the red wine vinegar, salt, pepper, oregano, pepperoncini juice (if using), and the olive oil until blended. Add the drained and rinsed pasta to the dressing and mix well.
3. Stir in the bell pepper, zucchini, tomatoes, scallions, pepperoncini (if using), olives, parmesan, mozzarella, and the herbs (if using). Taste for seasoning and adjust with salt and pepper as needed. Serve or for the best results, cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes and up to 5 days.

Pasta Salad Recipe

This easy pasta salad recipe takes minutes to make. It’s a classic side dish, perfect for BBQs, picnics, or any night of the week!

Prep: 15min

Total: 135min

Serving Size: 1 g

Nutrition Facts: servingSize 1 g, calories 344 kcal, Carbohydrate 46 g, Protein 11 g, Fat 13 g, Saturated Fat 4 g, Cholesterol 15 mg, Sodium 515 mg, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 4 g, Trans Fat 0.1 g, unSaturated Fat 8 g

Ingredients:

• 16 ounces (4 cups) colored rotini pasta (fusilli, farfalle, and penne work too) (cooked)
• ½ cup diced black olives
• ½ cup cubed Colby Jack cheese
• ½ cup mini pepperoni slices
• ¾-1 cup Italian dressing
• chopped cucumbers, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped peppers, ham cubes, pepperoncini, artichoke hearts

Instruction:

1. Cook pasta as directed on the package. Drain and rinse with cold water.
2. In a large bowl, combine cool pasta, olives, cheese, and pepperoni.
3. Pour at least half of the Italian dressing into the pasta salad and mix well.
4. Add any desired mix-ins to the pasta salad and mix well.
5. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Stir in additional dressing to taste before serving.

PASTA SALAD 3 WAYS (Literally The Best Pasta Salads I’ve Ever Had)

FAQ

What are the five mistakes to avoid pasta salad?

1. Not using the right size and shape of pasta. …
2. Overcooking or undercooking the pasta. …
3. Not seasoning the pasta enough. …
4. Not dressing the pasta salad while it’s still warm. …
5. Making your pasta salad too far in advance.

Is it better to make pasta salad the day before?

What is the diff between pasta salad and macaroni salad?

What pairs well with pasta salad?

• Fried Chicken. Crispy fried chicken pairs great with creamy pasta salad. …
• Hot Dogs. Hot dogs on the grill are a summer favorite for all ages. …
• Hamburgers. …
• Pulled Pork. …
• Sandwiches. …
• Roll Ups. …
• Deviled Eggs. …
• Baked Beans or Calico Beans.