Easy Summer Pasta Salad Italian (Printable Version)

A refreshing salad with pasta, vegetables, and Italian dressing. Enjoy chilled or immediately for bright flavors.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 8 oz short pasta (fusilli, rotini, or penne)

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
04 - 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely sliced
06 - 1/4 cup black olives, sliced

→ Cheese

07 - 1/2 cup mozzarella balls (bocconcini), halved

→ Dressing

08 - 1/3 cup Italian dressing
09 - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
10 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
11 - Salt, to taste
12 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Boil pasta in a large pot of salted water until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool completely; set aside.
02 - Combine cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, black olives, and mozzarella in a large mixing bowl.
03 - Add cooled pasta to the bowl with vegetables and cheese.
04 - Pour Italian dressing over the salad. Add parsley and oregano. Gently toss to ensure even coating.
05 - Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes for enhanced flavor.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • You can toss it together in just 20 minutes, so it's perfect for sudden cravings or unexpected guests.
  • The medley of crunchy vegetables and creamy mozzarella keeps every bite interesting.
02 -
  • Rinsing the pasta under cold water is a step you can't skip, or your salad will turn mushy and stick together.
  • Adding the dressing before chilling helps all ingredients soak up the flavor, making every bite more delicious.
03 -
  • If your salad looks dry after chilling, add a splash of fresh dressing to revive it.
  • Rubbing dried oregano between your fingers releases its aroma, making a noticeable difference.
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