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Classic Pasta Salad

A vibrant and easy-to-make pasta salad perfect for summer picnics and family gatherings, bursting with fresh ingredients and flavors.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 320
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Vegetables
  • 8 ounces tri-color rotini pasta Cook according to package instructions
  • 1 cup bell peppers, diced Choose your favorite colors
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup cucumbers, diced
  • 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, cubed
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Vinaigrette
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon mustard
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • to taste salt
  • to taste pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Cook tri-color rotini according to package instructions; drain and cool.
  2. In a large bowl, combine cooked rotini, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, black olives, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
Vinaigrette
  1. In a separate small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, mustard, garlic, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to create the vinaigrette.
  2. Pour the vinaigrette over the pasta salad and toss until well combined.
Chill and Serve
  1. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

Chill the salad to let flavors meld and enhance taste. Store in an airtight container for 3-5 days. Adjust seasoning to personal preference. Swap mozzarella for feta or add nuts for crunch.