Italian Combo Pasta Salad
Italian Combo Pasta Salad is a vibrant, flavor-packed dish that whisks you away to an Italian summer picnic. This delightful salad combines colorful rotini pasta with fresh veggies, tangy olives, and a zesty Italian dressing. Each bite bursts with refreshing flavors, making it perfect for potlucks, barbecues, or simply enjoying at home. Easy to customize, this dish invites creativity and ensures everyone finds something to love!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately 6
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz rotini pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 medium cucumber, diced
- 1 cup bell peppers (mixed red and yellow), chopped
- 1/2 cup black olives, pitted and sliced
- 1/2 cup Italian dressing (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the rotini pasta in a large pot of salted water until al dente (about 8-10 minutes). Drain and rinse under cold water.
- While the pasta cools, chop the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, and black olives into bite-sized pieces.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta with the chopped vegetables and olives.
- Pour Italian dressing over the mixture and toss until everything is well coated.
- Cover with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least one hour to allow flavors to meld.
- Serve chilled, topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (200g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 5mg