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Pasta Salad Recipe

Pasta Salad Recipe

The ultimate pasta salad recipe! Fresh, zesty & packed with flavor. Perfect for potlucks, BBQs & meal prep. Easy to customize & always a hit!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course: Dinner, lunch
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

For the Salad:
  • 1 lb rotini or bowtie pasta
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 cup cucumber diced
  • ½ cup red bell pepper diced
  • ½ cup black olives sliced
  • ½ cup red onion finely chopped
  • 1 cup cubed cheddar or mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup salami or pepperoni slices optional
  • ⅓ cup chopped fresh parsley or basil
For the Dressing:
  • ¾ cup Italian dressing
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Method
 

Cook the Pasta
  1. Boil pasta in salted water until al dente (follow package instructions).
  2. Drain, rinse under cold water to stop cooking, and let it drain well.
Prep the Mix-Ins
  1. Chop all veggies, cheese, and meat (if using).
  2. For best texture, ensure pieces are uniform in size.
Make the Dressing
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together:
  2. Italian dressing
  3. Dijon mustard
  4. Red wine vinegar
  5. Garlic powder
  6. Salt & pepper
Combine Everything
  1. In a large bowl, toss together:
  2. Cooked pasta
  3. Veggies
  4. Cheese
  5. Meat (if using)
  6. Fresh herbs
Dress & Chill
  1. Pour dressing over the salad and mix well.
  2. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or overnight for best flavor).
  3. Toss again before serving to redistribute the dressing.