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Quick Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing Recipe

Quick Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing Recipe
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This Quick Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing is a vibrant and easy-to-make dish combining tender pasta spirals with fresh vegetables and a zesty Italian dressing. Ready in under 20 minutes, it’s perfect for busy days, picnics, or potlucks, offering a refreshing, satisfying, and customizable flavor experience.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 2 cups rotini or fusilli pasta

Vegetables

  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cucumber, diced
  • 1 bell pepper, diced
  • 1/4 cup red onion, diced
  • 1/4 cup black olives, sliced

Dressing

  • 1/2 cup Italian dressing (store-bought or homemade)

Cheese

  • 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool and stop the cooking process while helping the pasta stay firm.
  2. Prepare the Vegetables: While the pasta cooks, dice the cucumber, bell peppers, and red onion, halve the cherry tomatoes, and slice the black olives. Chop vegetables evenly for consistent texture and flavor distribution.
  3. Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta with all the chopped vegetables. Toss gently to mix everything evenly before adding the dressing.
  4. Dress and Toss: Pour in your Italian dressing gradually, tossing the salad gently to ensure every bite is coated without overwhelming the ingredients. Start with half the dressing and add more to taste.
  5. Finish with Cheese and Chill: Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the salad and give it one last gentle toss. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld before serving.

Notes

  • Use cold pasta: Rinsing pasta under cold water keeps it from sticking and cools it fast for salad use.
  • Layer flavors: Toss vegetables with dressing separately before mixing with pasta for a more balanced taste.
  • Choose quality dressing: A fresh, high-quality Italian dressing elevates the entire dish easily.
  • Rest before serving: Letting the salad chill allows flavors to marry and deepens the taste.
  • Season last: Add salt and pepper at the end to adjust for taste after dressing is mixed in.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, quick pasta salad, Italian dressing, easy salad, summer salad, picnic salad, rotini pasta, fusilli, healthy pasta salad

Find it online: https://sophiespace.com/quick-pasta-salad-with-italian-dressing-recipe/