Easy Italian Pasta Salad
Easy Italian pasta salad made with rotini, fresh vegetables, cheese, and a simple upgraded Italian dressing. A classic cold pasta salad that’s perfect for potlucks, BBQs, and make-ahead meals.
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 266kcal
Ingredients
- 1 pound rotini or any short pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 cup diced cucumber
- ½ cup red onion finely diced
- 1 cup cubed cheddar cheese or mozzarella pearls
- ½ cup sliced black olives
- ½ cup pepperoni slices optional but VERY Midwest-approved 😉
For the dressing
- 1 cup Italian dressing store-bought or homemade
- 1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sugar just enough to balance—trust me
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Cook 1 pound rotini pasta according to package directions. Rinse with cold water and drain well.
- Toss pasta with 1 cup cherry tomatoes, 1 cup diced cucumber, ½ cup red onion, 1 cup cubed cheddar cheese, ½ cup sliced black olives and ½ cup pepperoni slices.
- Whisk 1 cup Italian dressing, 1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon sugar, ½ teaspoon garlic powder and ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning together. Pour over salad and toss to coat.
- Chill at least 2 hours (overnight is even better). Stir and add a splash of dressing before serving.
Notes
Serves 10–12 as a side dish or about 6 as a main dish.
Make ahead tip: This pasta salad is best when made ahead. Chill for at least 2 hours, but overnight is even better for flavor.
Dressing tip (don’t skip this): The pasta will soak up dressing as it sits. Reserve a little extra and stir it in before serving to freshen it up.
The dressing upgrade: Adding a splash of red wine vinegar, a little sugar, and simple seasonings to bottled Italian dressing makes it taste homemade without extra work. It’s a small step that makes a big difference.
Cut everything bite-sized: Smaller pieces make this easier to eat at potlucks, picnics, and gatherings (no chasing ingredients around your plate).
Onion tip: If you prefer a milder onion flavor, soak diced red onion in cold water for a few minutes before adding.
Make it your own: Add salami, mozzarella, banana peppers, or grilled chicken to switch things up depending on what you have on hand.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 266kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 422mg | Potassium: 181mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 236IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 87mg | Iron: 1mg
