Pasta Salad With Italian Dressing

Succulent, savory, and simple.

Are you a pasta lover? I know I am, and I am always on the lookout for a great pasta dish that I can tell the world about. This pasta salad with Italian dressing is one of those great recipes, one that I just have to talk about! It is packed full of incredible flavors, all mixing in delicious harmony. Every item complements each other divinely, like an orchestra of flavors playing a pasta-themed symphony.

Not only is this pasta salad with Italian dressing a wonder for your palete it is also a striking dish to look at. Vibrant colors draw your eyes to all the mouth-watering, tangy delicious flavor that awaits. One could even say that you are eating art.

Al dente pasta, crisp ripe tomatoes, a bite of onion, the freshness of the cucumber, and the velvety tang of the Italian dressing, all take this dish to the land of cold pasta perfection. Truly one of my favorite cold pasta dishes. It is a staple of mine at parties, potlucks, and family gatherings. This is one recipe that’s a must-have at summer picnics and often requested by more than one of my friends, and once you try it you will know why!

Pasta, Pasta

Pasta itself is versatile and delicious, but really it just happens to be the perfect flavor delivery system for any number of ideas you might have. That is one of the things I love about this pasta salad with Italian dressing, is that even though this recipe is already delicious you can take it in so many complementary directions. It really becomes a flavor canvas on which you can build an incredible food masterpiece.

Aside from the amazing flavor, this dish is also a very healthy meal. Healthy fats and protein from the cheese and dressing, great fresh veggies for vitamins and minerals, and fiber from the pasta all create a fabulous recipe for anyone looking to improve their diet, without sacrificing taste. Another benefit is that the acid in the Italian dressing starts to break down the starches in the pasta as well as the fibers in the veggies or protein you add, making the meal easy to digest.

Ingredients

12 oz tricolor rotini pasta
1 cup chopped cucumber peeled and seeded
1 cup halved cherry or grape tomatoes
1 cup crumbled feta cheese
2.25 oz can sliced black olives drained
1/4 cup finely diced red onion
1/2 to 1 cup Italian salad dressing

How to Make Pasta Salad With Italian Dressing

Step 1: Boil the rotini according to the package instructions, adding a pinch of salt to the water. Once cooked, drain and rinse under cold water to cool.

Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cucumber, tomatoes, feta cheese, black olives, and red onion. Drizzle with the Italian dressing and toss until everything is well coated.

Step 3: For the best flavor, let the salad chill in the refrigerator for a couple of hours before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.

FAQs & Tips

How to Make Ahead and Store?

Make this pasta salad with Italian dressing as directed in the recipe, then place it in an airtight container and store it in the fridge. It is actually best if you let the flavors marry overnight, which is great considering the pasta salad will last up to five days in the fridge.

Can I make this recipe vegan?

Yes, you can, and it is super simple. All you have to do is substitute the cheese for a vegan cheese or leave it off altogether. I have found that hard tofu can be a great substitution for cheese as well.

How do I increase the protein without adding meat?

Absolutely, there are many options for adding protein to this dish for anyone not interested in eating meat. Garbanzo beans and black beans are two of my favorite healthy additions, but almost any bean will work.

What if I want to make my own dressing?

Excellent, making your own dressing is a great way to enhance flavor while knowing exactly what is in your dressing. A simple dressing to make at home is two parts oil and one part vinegar of your choosing, like red wine, apple cider, or champagne vinegar. Next add in some dried herbs like oregano, parsley, thyme, or even a dried Italian blend. Lastly, toss in some grated Parmesan cheese and give the whole mix a shake, and viola, you have a delicious homemade dressing that will keep in the fridge for up to two weeks.

Serving Suggestions

As I mentioned earlier, our pasta salad with Italian dressing is great just as is. That being said, you can always adapt this recipe to any flavor combination you might like. Start small and add a protein like chicken or a hard salami. Shave in a little Parmesan cheese for that extra edge of flavor, or add in different beans like black or garbanzo. Other veggies are a great addition as well, I like Kalamata olives and bell peppers, and hot chilis like a jalapeño add a kick of spice and flavor.

You can also go in a totally different direction too, roast up a bit of chicken then use a pesto instead of the Italian dressing. Give different proteins a shot, like smoked salmon or tuna fish. While roasted mushrooms can add a lovely pop of flavor and so can marinated artichokes. Be brave, and experiment with your flavors by trying new things, even if you are not sure if they will work. You might just end up making a new favorite that everyone will be asking for at that next big gathering.

Love this recipe but still want more pasta variety, take a look at our Shrimp Pasta Salad or our Spaghetti Pasta Salad. If you can’t stop thinking about the pesto I mentioned earlier then our Pesto Pasta Salad is a must try. Still want more? Will head over to our homepage and take a gander at all of our delicious recipes.