Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing
A refreshing and flavorful Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing combining tender rotini pasta, crisp vegetables, and a zesty homemade or store-bought Italian dressing. This versatile, make-ahead salad is perfect for picnics, family meals, or meal prep, easily customizable with proteins, cheeses, and additional veggies.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Gluten Free (when using gluten-free pasta)
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz rotini pasta
Vegetables
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup black olives, sliced
Dressing & Flavorings
- 3/4 cup Italian dressing
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta.
- Prepare the Vegetables: While pasta cooks, halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, and thinly slice the red onion. Chop fresh basil leaves finely if using.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and black olives. Toss gently to combine evenly.
- Add Italian Dressing: Pour in about 3/4 cup of Italian dressing. Toss the salad thoroughly to coat all ingredients, adjusting the dressing amount to your taste.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Before serving, garnish with fresh chopped basil and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- Cook pasta al dente to prevent mushy texture in the salad.
- Rinse pasta under cold water to cool and stop cooking for a refreshing salad.
- Use a quality Italian dressing with fresh herbs and balanced acidity for best flavor.
- Toss salad gently to keep veggies crisp and pasta intact.
- Chill adequately for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to blend well.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
Keywords: pasta salad, Italian dressing, rotini pasta, picnic recipe, make-ahead salad, easy pasta salad, summer salad
Find it online: https://recipesemilly.com/pasta-salad-with-italian-dressing/