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Classic Pasta Salad

A vibrant and colorful pasta salad mixed with fresh vegetables and a zesty vinaigrette, perfect for potlucks and family dinners.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian, Mediterranean
Calories: 320
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Vegetables
  • 8 oz tri-color rotini pasta
  • 1 bell pepper (diced) Any color
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
  • 1 cup cucumbers (diced)
  • 1 cup black olives (sliced)
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese (cubed)
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
Vinaigrette Ingredients
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1 tbsp mustard
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Cook tri-color rotini according to package instructions; drain and cool.
  2. In a large bowl, combine cooked rotini, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, black olives, mozzarella, and parmesan.
Making the Vinaigrette
  1. In a separate small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, mustard, garlic, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to create the vinaigrette.
Combining and Serving
  1. Pour the vinaigrette over the pasta salad and toss until well combined.
  2. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

For best flavor, let the salad chill for half an hour. Feel free to switch up the vegetables or type of cheese as per your preference. It pairs well with grilled chicken or garlic bread.