Mostaccioli Salad

Dive into the vibrant and refreshing world of Mostaccioli Salad, a crowd-pleasing pasta salad perfect for picnics, potlucks, or light meals. This recipe combines tender mostaccioli pasta with a medley of crisp, colorful vegetables like cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, and red onion, all tossed in a zesty Italian salad dressing. Black olives provide a savory punch, while freshly grated parmesan cheese and chopped parsley add rich flavor and an aromatic finish. Quick and easy to prepare, this chilled salad comes together in under 30 minutes (excluding chilling time) and is a fantastic make-ahead option for busy gatherings. Bursting with Mediterranean-inspired flavors, Mostaccioli Salad offers a delightful balance of textures and tastes that's sure to become a favorite.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 340 grams mostaccioli pasta
• 250 grams cherry tomatoes
• 1 medium cucumber
• 1 medium red bell pepper
• 0.5 medium red onion
• 120 grams black olives
• 120 ml Italian salad dressing
• 50 grams parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tablespoons parsley, fresh and chopped
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.25 teaspoons black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the mostaccioli pasta according to package instructions until al dente, typically about 9-10 minutes.

Step 2

Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside to cool completely.

Step 3

While the pasta is cooling, prepare the vegetables. Slice the cherry tomatoes in half. Peel and dice the cucumber into small bite-sized pieces. Seed and dice the red bell pepper. Thinly slice the red onion into half-moons. Drain and rinse the black olives if necessary.

Step 4

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, and black olives.

Step 5

Pour the Italian salad dressing over the pasta and vegetables, tossing well to ensure everything is evenly coated.

Step 6

Add the grated parmesan cheese, chopped fresh parsley, salt, and black pepper. Toss again to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 7

Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 8

Before serving, give the salad a quick toss and garnish with additional parsley or parmesan cheese if desired.

Step 9

Serve chilled and enjoy your Mostaccioli Salad!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1274.4 grams (1274.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1302

Total Fat 58.30g	75%
Saturated Fat 17.20g	86%
Polyunsaturated Fat 13.60g
Cholesterol 50mg	17%
Sodium 4129mg	180%
Total Carbohydrate 158.00g	57%
Dietary Fiber 16.10g	58%
Total Sugars 33.60g
Protein 46.90g	94%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 799mg	61%
Iron 15mg	83%
Potassium 1569mg	33%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 39.0%

Protein: 14.0%

Carbs: 47.0%