Description
A vibrant and easy pasta salad loaded with fresh vegetables, tri-color rotini, and a zesty Italian dressing, perfect for picnics, potlucks, or quick meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz tri-color rotini pasta
Vegetables
- 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
Cheese
- 1/2 cup finely shredded parmesan cheese
Dressing
- 1 1/3 cups bottled Italian salad dressing (preferably Kraft)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the tri-color rotini pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Do not add salt to the water as the dressing contains enough seasoning. Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse with cold water to stop cooking and cool it down.
- Combine vegetables and pasta: In a large bowl, add the cooled pasta, halved grape tomatoes, chopped broccoli florets, yellow bell pepper pieces, sliced olives, diced cucumber, sliced baby carrots, chopped red onion, and shredded parmesan cheese. Mix thoroughly to distribute evenly.
- Add dressing and toss: Pour the bottled Italian salad dressing over the pasta and vegetables mixture. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat everything evenly with the dressing.
- Chill the salad: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. The salad can be chilled for up to 1 day. Before serving, taste and add a little more dressing if desired to moisten the salad.
Notes
- For extra cheesiness, add 1 cup of cubed mozzarella cheese to the salad.
- Toss the salad just before serving to redistribute the Italian dressing evenly.
- Rinsing the pasta with cold water prevents it from sticking and cools it quickly for the salad format.
- You can customize the vegetables based on availability or preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 8 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
