Easy Italian Pasta Salad- Delicious & Quick Recipe

Craving a burst of fresh, savory flavors without spending hours in the kitchen? This Easy Italian Pasta Salad is your answer! Perfect for potlucks, picnics, or a simple weeknight meal, it’s packed with vibrant ingredients and comes together in a flash.

Ingredients

• 12 oz (about 3 cups) rotini or penne pasta
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup cucumber, diced
• 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced or finely diced
• 1/2 cup bell pepper (any color), diced
• 1/2 cup mini mozzarella balls (bocconcini), halved, or cubed mozzarella
• 1/4 cup sliced black olives (optional)
• 3 oz (about 1/2 cup) pepperoni slices, quartered (optional)
• 1 (16 oz) bottle good quality Italian dressing
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and rinse with cold water to stop cooking and cool it down completely.
2. While the pasta cools, prepare your vegetables: halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber and bell pepper, and thinly slice or finely dice the red onion. Halve the mozzarella balls and quarter the pepperoni slices if using.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, bell pepper, mozzarella balls, black olives (if using), and pepperoni (if using).
4. Pour the entire bottle of Italian dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Toss gently to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated.
5. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. For best results, chill for 2-3 hours.
6. Before serving, give the salad another gentle toss. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired.