Best 5 Pasta Salad With Italian Dressing Recipes

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Indulge in a symphony of flavors with our delectable pasta salad, a delightful medley of cooked pasta, crisp vegetables, and a homemade Italian dressing that tantalizes the taste buds. This refreshing salad is not only a feast for the senses but also a breeze to prepare, making it an ideal side dish or light meal for any occasion. With three enticing variations to choose from, you can customize your pasta salad to suit your preferences: a classic version with a simple vinaigrette, a creamy rendition enriched with mayonnaise, or a tangy twist featuring a zesty lemon-herb dressing. Get ready to embark on a culinary journey that promises to leave you craving for more!

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

ITALIAN PASTA SALAD WITH HOMEMADE ITALIAN DRESSING



Italian Pasta Salad with Homemade Italian Dressing image

Recipe video above. If you're going to make a giant pasta, make it RIGHT with a beautiful homemade Italian Dressing!

Provided by Nagi@RecipeTinEats

Categories     Dinner     Salad

Time 25m

Number Of Ingredients 17

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup red or white wine vinegar ((I like using red))
1 1/2 tbsp freshly grated parmesan cheese ((Note 1))
1 tbsp sugar (any)
1 large garlic clove, minced
1/2 tsp each dried basil and oregano
1/4 tsp dried parsley
1/2 tsp dried chilli flakes (red pepper flakes) (optional)
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
300g/10oz spiral pasta, or other pasta of choice
180g/6oz thick sliced salami, cut into 2.5cm/1" batons (see photo in post or videos) (I use spicy salami)
200g/7oz baby bocconcini, halved (Note 2)
1 red capsicum/bell pepper, cut into 3cm/2.2cm strips
250g/8oz whole olives (I used Sicilian and pitted black) (Note 3)
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved (~1.5 Australian punnets)
1 cup (tightly packed) fresh basil leaves

Steps:

  • Place Dressing ingredients in a jar and shake well.
  • Cook pasta according to packet directions minus 1 minute. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop it cooking further. Shake excess water off well then transfer into large bowl.
  • Place remaining Pasta Salad ingredients in the bowl. Drizzle over Dressing and toss. Serve at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 204 g, Calories 430 kcal

ITALIAN DRESSING PASTA SALAD



Italian Dressing Pasta Salad image

This colorful salad is hearty enough to be a light meal in itself. It's a great make-ahead dish, since the full flavors of the herbs and veggies need a little time to blend. For more tasty ideas, check out these other cold pasta salad recipes.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 1h

Yield 36 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 17

2 packages (12 ounces each) tricolor spiral pasta
2 packages (16 ounces each) frozen California-blend vegetables, thawed
2 pints grape tomatoes
1 large zucchini, halved and thinly sliced
1 large yellow summer squash, quartered and thinly sliced
1 large red onion, finely chopped
1 block (8 ounces) cheddar cheese, cubed
1 block (8 ounces) Monterey Jack cheese, cubed
2 packages (4 ounces each) crumbled tomato and basil feta cheese
1 bottle (16 ounces) Italian salad dressing
3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1 tablespoon minced fresh basil
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 can (3.8 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained
Grated Romano cheese, optional

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions. Rinse with cold water; drain well. In two large bowls, combine the California vegetables, tomatoes, zucchini, yellow squash, onion, cheeses and pasta. , In a small bowl, combine the salad dressing, parsley, basil, Italian seasoning, seasoned salt and pepper. Pour over pasta mixture; toss to coat. Stir in olives. Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight. , Toss before serving. Serve with Romano cheese if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 157 calories, Fat 10g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 15mg cholesterol, Sodium 405mg sodium, Carbohydrate 11g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 5g protein.

EASY ITALIAN PASTA SALAD



Easy Italian Pasta Salad image

This salad is easy to make and everyone loves it!

Provided by slopez5084

Categories     Salad     100+ Pasta Salad Recipes     Tomato Pasta Salad Recipes

Time 55m

Yield 15

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 (16 ounce) package bow-tie pasta
2 large tomatoes, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
1 cucumber, chopped
2 (6 ounce) cans sliced black olives
5 stalks celery, chopped
1 (8 ounce) bottle Italian-style salad dressing, or more to taste

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook the bow-tie pasta at a boil, stirring occasionally, until cooked through yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes; drain. Rinse pasta in cold water until cool; drain.
  • Toss drained pasta, tomatoes, green bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, cucumber, black olives, and celery together in a large bowl.
  • Pour Italian-style dressing over the pasta mixture; toss to coat.
  • Chill salad 20 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 189.1 calories, Carbohydrate 27.6 g, Fat 7.4 g, Fiber 2.5 g, Protein 4.8 g, SaturatedFat 1.2 g, Sodium 456.2 mg, Sugar 3.8 g

CLASSIC ITALIAN PASTA SALAD



Classic Italian Pasta Salad image

Perfect for a buffet or a barbecue. Customize with your favorite vegetables.

Provided by Wish-Bone

Categories     Trusted Brands: Recipes and Tips     Wish-Bone®

Time 20m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 5

8 ounces rotelle or spiral pasta, cooked and drained
2 ½ cups assorted cut-up vegetables (broccoli, carrots, tomatoes, bell peppers, cauliflower, onions and mushrooms)
½ cup cubed Cheddar or mozzarella cheese
⅓ cup sliced pitted ripe olives
1 cup Wish-Bone® Italian Dressing

Steps:

  • Combine all ingredients except Wish-Bone® Italian Dressing in large bowl. Add Dressing; toss well. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 232.9 calories, Carbohydrate 26.2 g, Cholesterol 9.1 mg, Fat 12.2 g, Fiber 1.8 g, Protein 6.6 g, SaturatedFat 3.1 g, Sodium 598 mg, Sugar 4.2 g

ITALIAN PASTA SALAD



Italian Pasta Salad image

This zesty Italian pasta salad recipe combines vegetables and pasta in a creamy dressing. Refreshing and filling, this change-of-pace salad is perfect as a side dish. It's always popular at a potluck. —Tina Dierking, Skowhegan, Maine

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch     Side Dishes

Time 25m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 cup uncooked spiral pasta
1-1/2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1/4 cup chopped sweet red pepper
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
3 tablespoons thinly sliced green onions
1 cup zesty Italian salad dressing
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup cubed provolone cheese
1 can (2-1/4 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions; rinse with cold water and drain. Place in a large bowl; add the tomatoes, mushrooms, peppers, onions and salad dressing. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight; drain., In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise and Parmesan cheese; stir in the provolone cheese and olives. Gently fold into the pasta mixture.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 371 calories, Fat 30g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 13mg cholesterol, Sodium 707mg sodium, Carbohydrate 17g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 7g protein.

Tips:

  • To make your pasta salad extra flavorful, use a combination of different types of pasta, such as penne, rotini, and macaroni.
  • Don't overcook the pasta. Al dente pasta is the best choice for pasta salad because it will hold its shape and won't become mushy.
  • Rinse the pasta with cold water after cooking to stop the cooking process and prevent the pasta from sticking together.
  • Use a variety of vegetables in your pasta salad. Some good choices include cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, and olives.
  • Don't be afraid to add some protein to your pasta salad. Grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu are all great options.
  • Use a light and flavorful dressing for your pasta salad. A simple vinaigrette or Italian dressing is a good choice.
  • Season your pasta salad to taste with salt, pepper, and herbs.
  • Let your pasta salad chill for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.

Conclusion:

Pasta salad is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for lunch, dinner, or a picnic. It's easy to make and can be customized to your liking. With so many different variations, there's sure to be a pasta salad recipe that everyone will love. Experiment with different ingredients and dressings to find your favorite combination.

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