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–+ servings
Pasta Salad

Vibrant Pasta Salad for a Crowd - Crowd-Pleasing Flavor!

This vibrant Pasta Salad is a crowd-pleaser featuring colorful rotini pasta, zesty Italian dressing, fresh veggies, and creamy mozzarella.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chilling Time 4 hours
Total Time 6 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Course: Salads
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 1 pound Rotini Pasta opt for multi-colored for extra visual appeal
  • 1 cup Italian Dressing homemade or store-bought
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt or sea salt as a substitute
  • 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper freshly ground is preferred
  • 8 ounces Mozzarella Cheese cut into small cubes
  • 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes halved for easier bites
  • 1 cup Green & Red Bell Peppers chopped for added crunch
  • 1/2 cup Black Olives or green olives if preferred
For Optional Additions
  • 1 cup Salami or Pepperoni adds protein and hearty flavor
  • 1 cup Cucumbers for refreshing crunch
  • 1 cup Carrots or Peas for sweetness and color

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Colander
  • Spoon
  • foil pans

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions for Pasta Salad
  1. Cook the Pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water, add rotini pasta, and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
  2. Combine Pasta and Dressing: In a mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta, half of the Italian dressing, kosher salt, and black pepper. Toss until well coated.
  3. Add Fresh Ingredients: Mix in mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, and olives until thoroughly combined.
  4. Chill and Set: Transfer salad to large foil pans, cover, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight.
  5. Serve and Enjoy: Stir before serving, add more dressing if needed, and serve chilled.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 10gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 300mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 10IUVitamin C: 25mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 8mg

Notes

For best flavor, prepare a day in advance and add tomatoes and olives just before serving.

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