Description
A colorful and refreshing Easy Pasta Salad featuring tri-color rotini pasta and fresh vegetables tossed in zesty Italian dressing. Perfect for potlucks, picnics, or as a light side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz tri-color rotini pasta
Vegetables & Cheese
- 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 1/2 cups diced English cucumber
- 1 1/2 cups tiny chopped broccoli florets
- 1 cup chopped yellow bell pepper
- 1 cup olives, sliced
- 3/4 cup thinly sliced baby carrots
- 1/3 cup chopped red onion
- 1/2 cup finely shredded parmesan cheese
Dressing
- 1 1/3 cups bottled Italian salad dressing (Kraft preferred)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the tri-color rotini pasta according to the package instructions until al dente, without adding salt to the water since the dressing provides enough seasoning. Drain and rinse the pasta under cold water to stop cooking and cool it down.
- Combine Ingredients: Transfer the cooled pasta into a large bowl. Add the halved grape tomatoes, diced English cucumber, chopped broccoli florets, yellow bell pepper, sliced olives, baby carrots, chopped red onion, and shredded parmesan cheese.
- Add Dressing: Pour the Italian salad dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Toss well to evenly coat all ingredients with the dressing.
- Chill Salad: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. The salad can be chilled for up to 1 day. Before serving, add a little more dressing if the salad looks dry.
- Serve: Toss the salad again just before serving to redistribute the dressing and enjoy!
Notes
- For an extra cheesy twist, add 1 cup of cubed mozzarella cheese to the salad.
- Toss the salad just before serving to ensure even distribution of the dressing.
- If preferred, substitute the bottled Italian dressing with a homemade vinaigrette for a fresher taste.
- This pasta salad can be prepared a day in advance for convenience and enhanced flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg
