Description
A vibrant and easy-to-make pasta salad loaded with fresh vegetables and a zesty Italian dressing, perfect for quick lunches or potlucks.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 (12 oz) box 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 and Dressing
- 1/2 cup finely shredded parmesan cheese
- 1 1/3 cups bottled Italian salad dressing (Kraft recommended)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the tri-color rotini pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Do not add salt to the boiling water as the dressing provides sufficient seasoning. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to cool it down and stop further cooking.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta with halved grape tomatoes, chopped broccoli florets, diced yellow bell pepper, sliced olives, diced cucumber, thinly sliced baby carrots, chopped red onion, and finely shredded parmesan cheese.
- Add Dressing: Pour the bottled Italian salad dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Toss everything thoroughly to ensure the dressing evenly coats all ingredients.
- Chill: Cover the bowl and chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld. You can chill it up to one day in advance. Add a little extra dressing if the salad seems dry before serving.
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 pasta under cold water stops cooking and helps the salad stay firm and refreshing.
- The salad can be made a day ahead for convenience and flavor development.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
