Description
A vibrant and easy-to-make pasta salad packed with fresh veggies, tri-color rotini, and tangy Italian dressing—perfect for a refreshing side dish or light meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz box tri-color rotini pasta
Vegetables
- 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 1/2 cups diced English cucumber
- 1 1/2 cups tiny chopped broccoli florets
- 1 cup chopped yellow bell pepper
- 1 cup olives, sliced
- 3/4 cup thinly sliced baby carrots
- 1/3 cup chopped red onion
Cheese and Dressing
- 1/2 cup finely shredded parmesan cheese
- 1 1/3 cups bottled Italian salad dressing (Kraft preferred)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the tri-color rotini pasta according to package instructions until al dente, without adding salt to the water as the dressing will provide sufficient seasoning. Drain and rinse the pasta under cold water to cool it down and stop cooking.
- Combine Ingredients: Transfer the cooled pasta to a large bowl. Add halved grape tomatoes, diced English cucumber, chopped broccoli florets, chopped yellow bell pepper, sliced olives, thinly sliced baby carrots, chopped red onion, and finely shredded parmesan cheese.
- Add Dressing and Toss: Pour the bottled Italian salad dressing over the pasta and vegetables. Toss thoroughly to ensure everything is evenly coated with dressing.
- Chill: Cover the pasta salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld together. It can be chilled for up to 1 day. Before serving, you may add a little more dressing if the salad seems dry.
Notes
- For extra cheesiness, add 1 cup of cubed mozzarella cheese to the salad.
- Toss the salad just before serving to redistribute the Italian dressing evenly.
- Rinsing the pasta under cold water stops cooking and helps the salad stay cool and fresh.
- You can customize the veggies by adding or substituting with your favorites such as shredded carrots or chopped celery.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 8 mg
