Traditional Italian Pasta Salad

Name: Traditional Italian Pasta Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 1 lb rotini pasta; 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved; 1 cup cucumber, diced; 1 cup bell peppers, diced; 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced; 1/2 cup black olives, sliced; 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, cubed; 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped; 1/4 cup Italian parsley, chopped; 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil; 3 tbsp red wine vinegar; 1 clove garlic, minced; 1 tsp dried oregano; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper

🕒 Prep: 20 min

🔥 Cook: 10 min

🍽 Serves: 6

★★★★★

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This Traditional Italian Pasta Salad is a vibrant, fresh, and satisfying dish that bursts with flavor. It's perfect for summer gatherings, picnics, or a quick weeknight meal, bringing a taste of Italy to your table effortlessly.

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Ingredients for Traditional Italian Pasta Salad

Rotini pasta serves as the hearty base, capturing the dressing in its spirals. Cherry tomatoes add a burst of sweetness and juiciness. Cucumber provides a refreshing crunch, while bell peppers bring vibrant color and natural sweetness. The red onion offers a sharp, tangy bite. Black olives add a salty depth, and mozzarella cheese gives a creamy, mild flavor. Fresh basil and Italian parsley contribute aromatic freshness. Extra virgin olive oil and red wine vinegar create a zesty dressing, enhanced by garlic and oregano. Finally, a pinch of salt and black pepper balances the flavors beautifully.

Tips & Tricks

For a gluten-free version, use your favorite gluten-free pasta.
Prepare the salad a day in advance; it allows the flavors to intensify.
Use a variety of colored bell peppers for a more vibrant presentation.
If you prefer a stronger flavor, add a splash more vinegar to the dressing.

Serving Suggestions

This pasta salad pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken or fish for a complete meal. It's also a fantastic side dish for barbecues, alongside burgers or sausages. For a vegetarian feast, serve it with a selection of roasted vegetables or a hearty soup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use different pasta shapes?: Absolutely! Penne, fusilli, or farfalle work well too, just make sure to cook them al dente.
How long will the salad keep in the fridge?: Stored in an airtight container, it will stay fresh for up to 3 days.
What if I don't like olives?: You can leave them out or substitute with another salty element like capers.

Traditional Italian Pasta Salad Recipe Walkthrough

Start by cooking the rotini pasta according to the package instructions. You want it al dente, with a slight bite. After cooking, drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water. This step stops the cooking process and cools down the pasta, making it ready for the salad.

While the pasta drains, prepare your veggies. In a large bowl, toss together the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, red onion, black olives, mozzarella cheese, basil, and parsley. This is where the salad starts coming to life with color and texture.

Next, prepare the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, oregano, salt, and black pepper. A little whisking goes a long way to marry these flavors.

Combine the cooled pasta with the vegetable mixture in the large bowl. Drizzle the dressing over the top and toss everything together gently, ensuring the pasta and veggies are well-coated. This helps the flavors meld beautifully.

Finally, cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This chilling time lets the flavors develop and blend into a cohesive, delicious salad.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

It's quick and easy, taking just 30 minutes to prepare.
Made with fresh, colorful ingredients that are a feast for the eyes and taste buds.
Perfectly customizable to suit personal preferences or dietary needs.
A great make-ahead dish that tastes even better the next day.

Ingredients

1 lb rotini pasta

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

1 cup cucumber, diced

1 cup bell peppers, diced

1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced

1/2 cup black olives, sliced

1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, cubed

1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped

1/4 cup Italian parsley, chopped

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

3 tbsp red wine vinegar

1 clove garlic, minced

1 tsp dried oregano

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Cook the rotini pasta according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water.

2. In a large bowl, combine cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, red onion, black olives, mozzarella cheese, basil, and parsley.

3. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.

4. Add the cooked pasta to the vegetable mixture.

5. Drizzle the dressing over the pasta salad and toss to combine.

6. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.

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