Picnic Marinated Italian Pasta

Perfect for outdoor gatherings or easy make-ahead meals, Picnic Marinated Italian Pasta is a vibrant and zesty twist on classic pasta salad. This quick and flavorful dish combines al dente rotini pasta with a medley of crisp, colorful vegetables like bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and cucumbers, along with briny black olives and creamy mozzarella pearls. Tossed in a tangy homemade marinade of olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, and Italian seasoning, this pasta salad bursts with bold flavors that intensify as it chills. Optional pepperoni slices add a savory touch, while fresh parsley delivers a refreshing finish. Ready in just 30 minutes plus marinating time, this crowd-pleaser is ideal for picnics, potlucks, or weeknight dinners. Serve it cold, and let the taste of Italy elevate your next gathering!

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 oz rotini pasta (or any short pasta)
• 1 medium red bell pepper
• 1 medium yellow bell pepper
• 1.5 cups cherry tomatoes
• 1 medium cucumber
• 0.5 small red onion
• 0.5 cup black olives (sliced)
• 8 oz fresh mozzarella pearls
• 0.5 cup pepperoni slices (optional)
• 0.5 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tsp honey
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rotini pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside to cool.

Step 2

While the pasta cooks, chop the red and yellow bell peppers into small bite-sized pieces. Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, thinly slice the red onion, and set aside.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, chopped vegetables, black olives, fresh mozzarella pearls, and pepperoni slices (if using).

Step 4

In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Italian seasoning, minced garlic, honey, salt, and black pepper to create the marinade.

Step 5

Pour the marinade over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Toss everything until evenly coated and well combined.

Step 6

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or up to overnight) to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 7

Just before serving, sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley over the pasta salad for a burst of color and freshness.

Step 8

Serve chilled and enjoy your Picnic Marinated Italian Pasta!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1781.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3082.4

Total Fat 232.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 66.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.1g
Cholesterol 227.4mg	0%
Sodium 6109.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 175.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 20.2g	0%
Total Sugars 33.6g
Protein 90.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1108.5mg	0%
Iron 12.1mg	0%
Potassium 2286.5mg	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: 66.3%

Protein: 11.5%

Carbs: 22.2%