Italian Garden Pasta Salad
Bursting with vibrant vegetables and Mediterranean flavors, this Italian Garden Pasta Salad is a colorful, crowd-pleasing dish perfect for any occasion. Made with tender rotini pasta, juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, red bell pepper, and tangy black olives, this salad is elevated with the savory richness of grated Parmesan cheese and the aromatic freshness of basil. Tossed in a zesty Italian dressing, it’s the ultimate combination of flavor and texture. Ready in just 30 minutes, this chilled pasta salad is a versatile option for picnics, potlucks, or a light and refreshing meal. Serve it as a side or enjoy it on its own for a taste of Italy in every bite!
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Ingredients
- 12 oz rotini pasta
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 1 large cucumber
- 1 red bell pepper
- 0.5 red onion
- 0.75 cup black olives (sliced)
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 0.25 cup fresh basil leaves
- 0.75 cup Italian salad dressing
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.25 tsp black pepper
Directions
Step 1
Cook the rotini pasta according to the package instructions in a large pot of salted boiling water. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water until completely cool. Set aside.
Step 2
While the pasta cooks, prepare the vegetables: halve the cherry tomatoes, peel and dice the cucumber, dice the red bell pepper, and thinly slice the red onion.
Step 3
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, black olives, and grated Parmesan cheese.
Step 4
Chop the fresh basil leaves and add them to the bowl for a pop of fresh flavor.
Step 5
Pour the Italian salad dressing over the pasta and vegetables. Sprinkle in the salt and black pepper, then toss everything together until evenly coated.
Step 6
Cover the bowl and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 1 hour to let the flavors meld together.
Step 7
Before serving, give the pasta salad a quick toss and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve chilled as a side dish or light meal.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | 1637.9 grams (1637.9g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 2363 |
| Total Fat 86.40g | 111% |
| Saturated Fat 19.40g | 97% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 19.00g | |
| Cholesterol 40mg | 13% |
| Sodium 5000mg | 217% |
| Total Carbohydrate 334.10g | 121% |
| Dietary Fiber 27.90g | 100% |
| Total Sugars 53.50g | |
| Protein 69.80g | 140% |
| Vitamin D 0IU | 0% |
| Calcium 838mg | 64% |
| Iron 19mg | 104% |
| Potassium 2755mg | 59% |
Source of Calories