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Close-up of a vibrant pasta salad with fresh vegetables, perfect for make-ahead meals.

The Easiest Make-Ahead Pasta Salad


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  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

A simple and delicious pasta salad that can be made ahead of time, perfect for picnics, potlucks, or quick meals. This recipe combines cooked pasta with fresh vegetables and a tangy Italian dressing for a refreshing and easy dish.


Ingredients

Scale

8 ounces rotini pasta
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup cucumber, diced
1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup black olives, sliced
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/3 cup Italian dressing


Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Add the rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes.
Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to cool and stop the cooking process.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, black olives, shredded mozzarella cheese, and chopped parsley.
Pour the Italian dressing over the pasta mixture.
Toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Before serving, toss the pasta salad again and adjust seasoning if needed.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes