Pasta Salad Italiano

Bright, zesty, and bursting with Mediterranean flavors, Pasta Salad Italiano is the ultimate crowd-pleaser for any occasion. This vibrant cold pasta salad combines tender rotini pasta with a colorful medley of fresh vegetables, including juicy cherry tomatoes, crunchy cucumber, crisp red bell pepper, and tangy black olives, all tossed in a bold Italian dressing. Grated parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh parsley add a savory depth, while a brief chill in the refrigerator ensures every bite is infused with flavor. Perfect as a light lunch, a refreshing summer side dish, or a potluck favorite, this simple yet flavorful recipe is ready in just 30 minutes and serves up to six. Wholesome, delicious, and incredibly easy to make—Pasta Salad Italiano is your go-to dish for any gathering or meal prep.

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 ounces rotini pasta
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes
• 1 large cucumber
• 1 medium red bell pepper
• 1 cup black olives
• 0.5 medium red onion
• 0.5 cup parmesan cheese
• 0.25 cup fresh parsley
• 0.75 cup Italian dressing
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.25 teaspoons black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Cook the rotini pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool it down quickly. Set aside.

Step 2

While the pasta cooks, prepare the vegetables: halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, seed and dice the red bell pepper, slice the black olives, and finely dice the red onion.

Step 3

Chop fresh parsley into small pieces and set aside.

Step 4

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

Step 5

Add the grated parmesan cheese and chopped parsley to the bowl.

Step 6

Pour the Italian dressing over the pasta and vegetables, then toss everything together until evenly coated.

Step 7

Season with salt and black pepper to taste, mixing well to distribute the seasoning.

Step 8

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 9

Before serving, give the salad a gentle toss to redistribute the dressing. Serve chilled and enjoy your Pasta Salad Italiano!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1602.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2259.4

Total Fat 74.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 17.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 19.8g
Cholesterol 44.5mg	0%
Sodium 4285.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 331.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 24.2g	0%
Total Sugars 53.0g
Protein 68.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 856.2mg	0%
Iron 24.3mg	0%
Potassium 2734.7mg	0%

*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: 29.4%

Protein: 12.1%

Carbs: 58.5%