Best 7 Easy Tri Color Pasta Salad Recipes

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Indulge in the vibrant flavors and textures of our Easy Tri-Color Pasta Salad, a delightful dish that combines the goodness of rotini, penne, and fusilli pasta in a harmonious blend of colors and flavors. Tossed with a zesty dressing made from mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, and a touch of Dijon mustard, this salad is a symphony of tangy, creamy, and slightly sweet notes that will tantalize your taste buds.

Accompanying this vibrant pasta salad are three additional recipes that offer a delightful variety of flavors and textures. The Lemony Arugula Salad with Grilled Shrimp features crisp arugula tossed with a tangy lemon-herb dressing and succulent grilled shrimp, creating a refreshing and protein-packed dish. If you prefer a hearty and satisfying meal, the One-Pot Creamy Pesto Pasta is sure to please, with its combination of tender pasta, creamy pesto sauce, and a medley of vegetables. And for a flavorful and colorful side dish, the Roasted Vegetable Medley offers a symphony of roasted vegetables tossed in a balsamic glaze, bringing a touch of sweetness and a burst of colors to your plate.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

CLASSIC PASTA SALAD (FOR A CROWD)



Classic Pasta Salad (for a crowd) image

This classic pasta salad is made with a tri-color rotini, filled with vegetables and cheeses, and coated in a scratch-made vinaigrette. The perfect recipe to feed a crowd.

Provided by Heather

Categories     Side Dish

Time 25m

Number Of Ingredients 15

24 ounces tri-color rotini pasta (uncooked)
1 pint cherry tomatoes (halved)
12 ounces sliced pepperoni
1 red onion (diced)
1 green bell pepper (diced)
16 ounces mozzarella cheese (cubed)
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
8 ounces olives (sliced)
1 1/2 cups olive oil
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente pasta. Drain and rinse with cold water until pasta is room temperature. Place pasta in a large bowl.
  • Add cherry tomatoes, pepperoni, onion, bell pepper, mozzarella, parmesan, and olives to the bowl. Set aside.
  • In a separate bowl, add olive oil, vinegar, italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine.
  • Pour vinaigrette over pasta salad, then toss to coat. Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving. Pasta salad will keep for 3-4 days, refrigerated in a sealed container. Pasta WILL continue to soak up the dressing the longer it sits, so it may need a splash of olive oil and vinegar if it has been sitting for several hours.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 0.75 cup, Calories 283 kcal, Carbohydrate 24 g, Protein 13 g, Fat 14 g, SaturatedFat 5 g, Cholesterol 32 mg, Sodium 732 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 1 g

TRICOLORE PASTA SALAD



Tricolore Pasta Salad image

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Categories     side-dish

Time 30m

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
One 12-ounce box tricolor fusilli pasta
3 cups baby arugula, chopped
1/2 cup basil leaves, chopped
1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
1/4 cup peppadew peppers, chopped
8 slices (about 4 ounces) provolone cheese, diced
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Steps:

  • For the dressing: Whisk together the vinegar, oil and salt in a large bowl. Set aside.
  • For the salad: Cook the pasta according to the package directions, about 9 minutes. Drain well and let cool slightly until just warm to the touch, about 5 minutes.
  • Add the pasta to the dressing and toss well to coat. Allow to cool to room temperature in the dressing, tossing occasionally. Add the arugula, basil, tomatoes, peppers, cheese and salt and toss well to combine and coat everything in the dressing. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.

TRI-COLOR PASTA SALAD



Tri-Color Pasta Salad image

This is a quick and tasty pasta salad that all of my friends beg me to make whenever there is a party! It is always a crowd pleaser!

Provided by MEEHSKABOB

Categories     Salad     100+ Pasta Salad Recipes     Vegetarian Pasta Salad Recipes

Time 20m

Yield 15

Number Of Ingredients 4

2 pounds uncooked tri-color spiral pasta
10 ounces diced processed American cheese
1 large head broccoli, cut into florets
1 (16 ounce) bottle Italian-style salad dressing

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
  • Toss cooled pasta with cheese, broccoli and Italian-style dressing to taste. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 381.2 calories, Carbohydrate 48.9 g, Cholesterol 17.8 mg, Fat 15.7 g, Fiber 2.6 g, Protein 13 g, SaturatedFat 5.3 g, Sodium 779.7 mg, Sugar 5 g

COLORFUL SPIRAL PASTA SALAD



Colorful Spiral Pasta Salad image

Tackle gatherings with a bright pasta salad. This tricolor toss-up with broccoli, tomatoes, olives and a hardworking dressing is one of the easiest cold pasta salad recipes you could take. -Amanda Cable, Boxford, Massachusetts

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch     Side Dishes

Time 20m

Yield 14 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 package (12 ounces) tricolor spiral pasta
4 cups fresh broccoli florets
1 pint grape tomatoes
1 can (6 ounces) pitted ripe olives, drained
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1-1/2 cups Italian salad dressing with roasted red pepper and Parmesan

Steps:

  • In a Dutch oven, cook pasta according to package directions, adding the broccoli during the last 2 minutes of cooking. Drain and rinse in cold water., Transfer to a large bowl. Add the tomatoes, olives, salt and pepper. Drizzle with salad dressing; toss to coat. Chill until serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 149 calories, Fat 4g fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 513mg sodium, Carbohydrate 24g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 4g protein.

TRI COLOR ITALIAN PASTA SALAD



Tri Color Italian Pasta Salad image

Easy recipe for the best Tri Color Italian Pasta Salad. This meal is full of fresh vegetables and only takes 20 minutes to put together from start to finish.

Provided by Pamela

Categories     Main Course     Side Dish

Time 20m

Number Of Ingredients 8

12 oz box tri color rotini pasta
1/2 cup Italian salad dressing
3 stalks of celery (finely chopped)
1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes (halved)
1/2 cup sliced black olives
1 tablespoon dried basil
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella

Steps:

  • Prepare your pasta as directed on box. Drain and place pasta in a big serving bowl.
  • Add salad dressing, celery, tomatoes, olives, basil and oregano. Stir to fully combine. Add mozzarella cheese on top and mix again.
  • Cover bowl with lid or plastic wrap and place in refrigerator to chill (at least an hour, can be overnight).
  • Remove from refrigerator and stir to freshen up. If salad looks a little dry (especially if you let it sit overnight), add a tablespoon (or 2) of salad dressing and stir. Serve and enjoy!

QUICK ITALIAN PASTA SALAD



Quick Italian Pasta Salad image

A quick and flavorful pasta salad with salami and bell peppers.

Provided by Trish

Categories     Salad     100+ Pasta Salad Recipes     Rotini Pasta Salad Recipes

Time 25m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 (12 ounce) package tri-color rotini pasta
¾ pound Italian salami, finely diced
½ green bell pepper, sliced
½ red bell pepper, sliced
½ red onion, chopped
1 cup Italian-style salad dressing
1 (6 ounce) can sliced black olives
8 ounces small fresh mozzarella balls (ciliegine)
3 (.7 ounce) packages dry Italian-style salad dressing mix, or to taste
½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; cook rotini at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes; drain and rinse with cold water until cool.
  • Combine pasta, salami, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, onion, salad dressing, olives, and mozzarella cheese in a large bowl. Mix dry salad dressing into pasta; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 370.9 calories, Carbohydrate 29.2 g, Cholesterol 46 mg, Fat 21 g, Fiber 1.6 g, Protein 15.2 g, SaturatedFat 7.4 g, Sodium 1893.1 mg, Sugar 5.4 g

EASY TRI-COLOR PASTA SALAD



Easy Tri-Color Pasta Salad image

Simple recipe for tri-color pasta salad. This recipe uses fresh mushrooms, onions, green peppers, etc. You can alter this recipe to suit your taste. Sometimes I throw in a chopped cucumber or broccoli florets. You can add diced pepperoni or baby shrimp. Great for summer picnics & BBQ's! Note: I use 1/2 to 3/4 cup of the prepared Good Seasons Italian dressing made in the cruet - depends on how many vegetables I add in on how much dressing I use.

Provided by BlondieItaliana

Categories     Summer

Time 13m

Yield 18 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

12 ounces tri-color spiral pasta
1 green pepper, chopped
1/4 cup red onion, sliced
1/4 cup tomatoes, chopped
1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, drained
3 7/8 ounces pitted sliced black olives
1 (8 ounce) package fresh mushrooms, sliced
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup prepared Good Seasons Italian dressing
salt & pepper

Steps:

  • Prepare pasta al dente as directed on package.
  • Meanwhile, prepare above ingredients. Drain pasta & cool. Combine all ingredients by stirring gently.
  • Chill & serve.

Tips:

  • Use a variety of pasta shapes and colors. This will make your salad more visually appealing.
  • Cook the pasta al dente. This means that it should be cooked until it is tender but still has a slight bite to it.
  • Use fresh vegetables. This will give your salad the best flavor and texture.
  • Chop the vegetables into small pieces. This will make them easier to eat.
  • Use a light dressing. A heavy dressing will overpower the other flavors in the salad.
  • Season the salad to taste. Add salt and pepper to taste, and then add any other herbs or spices that you like.
  • Serve the salad chilled. This will help the flavors to meld together.

Conclusion:

Tri-color pasta salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish that is perfect for a summer picnic or potluck. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own preferences. With a variety of pasta shapes, colors, and vegetables, there are endless possibilities for creating a delicious and unique tri-color pasta salad. So get creative and experiment with different ingredients to find your favorite combination.

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