Description
This creamy pasta salad is a delightful combination of flavors, featuring tender pasta, fresh vegetables, and a tangy Italian dressing. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or as a side dish for any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces rotini or penne pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1 cup bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, cubed
- 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup Italian dressing
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, mozzarella cheese, and black olives.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise and Italian dressing until smooth.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss gently to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Before serving, give the salad a good stir and garnish with chopped parsley.
Notes
- Feel free to add any other vegetables you like, such as carrots or zucchini.
- This salad can be made a day ahead for convenience; just keep it covered in the refrigerator.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 6
Keywords: creamy pasta salad, Italian dressing pasta salad, easy pasta salad recipe, pasta salad with vegetables, potluck pasta salad