This is one of my all time favorite salads. It’s perfect on a hot summer day when the last thing you want to do is cook a heavy meal on the stove or in the oven. The recipe can be made with any of the vegetables in your garden including tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, zucchini and celery. I use Wishbone Italian dressing because it has the flavors I’m going for. I add a little sugar to take the edge off the tangy, but if you prefer your salads to have a zing, then leave it out. You could certainly make your own Italian dressing, I just don’t bother.
This recipe is one that can be altered to fit your personal tastes. I don’t care for green pepper, so I don’t add it to the salad, but you might love it so add away. I love olives and throw in at least a cup of both – some people might thinks that’s excessive – I don’t care what some people think.
You can use pre-shredded, pre-packaged mozzarella cheese, but you’d regret it. Stick to the real stuff, you can thank me later. I didn’t include Parmesan cheese because someone in this house keeps making Alfredo sauce and using it all, so I didn’t have any. If I did I would throw half a container of the real stuff in, but not the powdered kind that you put on pizza.
I use whatever pasta I have on hand, I don’t really care what the shape is, however, I think the rotini looks the best. Penne would be my second choice, followed by spaghetti or fettuccine. I think I’d avoid elbows or shells, but that’s just me.
This makes a great side salad and is perfect for a potluck if we ever have them again. It also is perfect as a stand alone salad for lunch. It’s perfect for work – just make sure you write your name on so Roger in accounting doesn’t steal it.
If you’re keto conscious, you can skip the pasta and the tablespoon of sugar.
| Prep Time | 30 minutes |
| Servings |
servings
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- 3 cups pasta cooked and chilled
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 yellow bell pepper
- 1/3 cup red onion
- 6-10 grape tomatoes diagonally halved
- 1 cucumber peeled, deseeded and diced
- 1/2 cup green olives sliced
- 1/2 cup salt sliced
- 8 oz BelGioioso Mozzarella diced
- 1 cup Wishbone Italian Dressing
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 5 oz Hormel Mini Pepperoni
Ingredients
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One can never have too many olives. Of any kind. My daughter is always asking to bring her some.
Cavatappi is a good pasta to use for pasta salads too. It’s corkscrew shaped.
I LOVE Italian pasta salad! I’m going to try your twist on it tonight.
Simple and yummy. Thanks
I love pasta salad but don’t think I’ve had Italian pasta salad. My mistake! This looks amazing!