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

The Easiest Make-Ahead Pasta Salad


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

Description

A simple, delicious, and versatile pasta salad that can be made ahead of time. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or quick meals, this pasta salad combines tender rotini pasta with fresh vegetables and a tangy Italian dressing.


Ingredients

Scale

12 ounces rotini pasta
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup cucumber, diced
1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup black olives, sliced
1 cup mozzarella cheese, cubed
1/2 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 to 10 minutes.
Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, black olives, and mozzarella cheese.
Pour the Italian dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Stir the salad once more before serving.

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