The Best Italian Pasta Salad Recipe

This Italian Pasta Salad is so easy to make in just a few minutes with rotini pasta, cucumber, red peppers, tomatoes, olives and green onions. Seasoned with a quick homemade Italian dressing. It’s a must have side dish for any BBQ or family gathering!

Pasta salads are a go-to dish for us this Summer.  I love this Orzo Pasta Salad so much I decided to make another quick recipe to take to a friends a few weeks ago.  This one is loaded with more fresh vegetables and then tossed with a very simple dressing.

If you need something quick for a party, this will save you for sure!  Another quick tip is to use a bottle of your favorite Italian dressing instead of making the homemade one.  I would add a cup of bottled dressing and see if that is enough to coat the pasta and veggies. Then add more if necessary.

You can easily make this pasta salad with gluten free pasta too. And it can also be vegan friendly if you swap out the parmesan cheese for nutritional yeast in the dressing.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Pasta – Fusilli, penne or farfalle pasta are all great options too.
• English cucumber –  seeded, halved and sliced
• Cherry tomatoes – quartered
• Whole orange bell pepper – cored and diced
• Whole red bell pepper – cored and diced
• Black olives – sliced
• Scallions – sliced thin
• Fresh basil – chopped
• Parmesan Cheese – optional
• Pepperoni sliced, – optional

Dressing

• Lemon juice – fresh is best.
• Olive oil – or your favorite oil on hand.
• Garlic
• Honey
• Italian seasoning – Make this homemade Italian seasoning if you don’t have it on hand.
• Parmesan cheese – or nutritional yeast for vegan option
• Salt
• Pepper

Variation

You can also add a favorite Italian meat if you’d like. Pepperoni, Italian salami or pancetta are all wonderful common additions.

How To Make

Step 1: Cook pasta per package directions, making sure to not overcook the pasta. It is much better if it’s al dente and not soggy. 

Step 2: Drain pasta and add to a large serving bowl. Let the pasta cool prior to adding the vegetables. (I have been known to rinse it with cold water)

Step 3: Then dice up 4 or 5 different vegetables and herbs. Cut the vegetables in small pieces so a little of each can be found in each bite.

Step 4: Mix dressing ingredients in a carafe or mason jar and shake well.

Step 5: Pour all dressing over top of vegetable, Toss well to coat. Refrigerate until ready to serve. The dressing absorbs into the pasta making the flavors bold and wonderful! I would plan on at least 20 minutes but the longer the better!

What goes with Pasta Salad?

Pasta salads are the best side side for so many meals!  It’s perfect alongside burgers, grilled Italian chicken or steak kabob’s. I love it with these Buffalo Turkey Burgers or this Grilled Bruschetta Chicken!

It’s such a hearty dish, it can even be served as a main dish along with some Italian bread or focaccia bread.