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A bowl of colorful Italian pasta salad with fresh vegetables and herbs.

Italian Pasta Salad

A refreshing and flavorful pasta salad packed with vegetables, cheese, and a zesty Italian dressing.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Salad
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 320

Ingredients
  

Equipment

  • large mixing bowl
  • colander
  • chef's knife
  • cutting board
  • measuring cups

Method
 

  1. Cook the rotini pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool completely.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, black olives, red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, red onion, mozzarella cheese, and parsley.
  3. Pour the Italian dressing over the salad and toss until all the ingredients are evenly coated.
  4. Season the salad with salt and black pepper to taste, then sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top.
  5. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
  6. Serve chilled and enjoy!

Notes

You can substitute rotini pasta with any short pasta shape like penne or fusilli. Add grilled chicken or shrimp for a protein boost.