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Easy Zesty Italian Pasta Salad

Easy Zesty Italian Pasta Salad - featured image
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A quick and flavorful pasta salad perfect for summer potlucks, featuring a zesty dressing and fresh vegetables. Ready in under 30 minutes with simple pantry ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces rotini or bowtie pasta
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup kalamata olives, sliced
  • 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped (optional)
  • 1/2 cup red or yellow bell pepper, diced
  • 1 cup mozzarella pearls or cubed mozzarella
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar or honey

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions (8 to 10 minutes) until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool. Set aside to drain fully.
  2. While pasta cooks, halve cherry tomatoes, slice kalamata olives, dice cucumber and bell pepper, and finely chop red onion if using. Combine these in a large bowl with mozzarella pearls and chopped fresh parsley.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, and sugar or honey until smooth and slightly thickened.
  4. Add the cooled pasta to the bowl of veggies and cheese. Pour the dressing over the top, sprinkle dried Italian seasoning, and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Gently toss everything together until well coated.
  5. Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. Give it a gentle toss and adjust seasoning if needed. For best freshness, add mozzarella just before serving if making ahead.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta to avoid mushiness. Rinse pasta under cold water to stop cooking and prevent clumping. Make dressing fresh for best flavor. Let salad chill for at least 30 minutes to meld flavors. Adjust seasonings to taste. Add mozzarella just before serving if making ahead to keep it fresh. For dairy-free, omit or substitute mozzarella. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, Italian pasta salad, summer salad, potluck recipe, easy pasta salad, zesty dressing, rotini pasta salad

Find it online: https://cooksyla.com/easy-zesty-italian-pasta-salad-recipe-perfect-for-summer-potlucks/