Description
A vibrant and refreshing pasta salad featuring rotini pasta tossed with crisp cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, black olives, mozzarella pearls, red onion, and fresh parsley, all coated in a homemade zesty Italian dressing. Perfect for summer picnics, potlucks, BBQs, or as an easy make-ahead meal.
Ingredients
Pasta Salad
- 12 oz rotini or penne pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- ½ cup black olives, sliced
- 1 cup mozzarella pearls
- ¼ cup red onion, finely sliced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Zesty Italian Dressing
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rotini or penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 9 to 11 minutes.
- Cool the Pasta: Drain the pasta and rinse under cold running water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. Allow the pasta to drain completely.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, diced bell pepper, sliced black olives, mozzarella pearls, finely sliced red onion, and chopped fresh parsley. Gently toss to combine the ingredients evenly.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt and black pepper to taste until well emulsified.
- Dress the Salad: Pour the zesty Italian dressing over the pasta salad and toss thoroughly to coat all ingredients with the dressing.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature for best taste.
Notes
- Add grilled chicken, salami, or chickpeas to boost protein content and make the salad more filling.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the pasta with gluten-free pasta varieties.
- Adjust the seasoning of the dressing to your taste preference by adding more vinegar or mustard if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
