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Delicious cold pasta salad served in a bowl with vegetables and dressing

Cold Pasta Salad

A vibrant and refreshing dish perfect for warm days and gatherings, featuring tender pasta, crisp vegetables, and zesty Italian dressing.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 320
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Base Ingredients
  • 8 ounces pasta (rotini, fusilli, or penne) Cooked al dente
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cucumber, diced
  • 1 bell pepper, diced
  • 1 cup olives, sliced
  • 1/2 cup red onion, chopped
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, cubed
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Dressing and Seasoning
  • 1/2 cup Italian dressing
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Cook pasta according to package instructions; drain and cool.
  2. In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, olives, red onion, mozzarella cheese, and parsley.
  3. Pour Italian dressing over the salad, season with salt and pepper, and toss to combine.
  4. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

For best results, cook the pasta al dente. This salad can be made ahead of time; just keep the dressing separate until serving to avoid sogginess.
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