Easy Pasta Salad Recipe

Name: Easy Pasta Salad Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 38 min
Ingredients: ⅓ cup white wine vinegar; 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard; ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil (or canola oil); 2 cloves garlic (minced); 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves; 1 teaspoon fresh basil leaves (hopped); 1 teaspoon fresh oregano leaves (chopped); ½ teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper; 2 teaspoons granulated sugar; 1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper; 12 ounce package of Tri-Color Rotini Pasta; 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes (halved); ½ a large onion (diced (red or sweet onion are best)); 1 cup assorted olives (pitted and sliced); 2 cups broccoli florets; 1 teaspoon seasoned salt ((like Lawry's brand)); 8-12 ounces cheddar cheese (or Colby cheese, sliced in match stick pieces)

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Try our Easy Pasta Salad Recipe with a homemade Zesty Italian Dressing ~ it’s our favorite summer potluck classic!

This delicious salad is packed with flavor and crisp fresh broccoli marinated in our zesty Italian dressing. This is perfect picnic fare and leftovers are the best!

Do you have one of those go-to recipes that’s easy to make, packed with flavor, and a favorite every time it hits the table?

This Easy Pasta Salad Recipe with Zesty Italian Dressing has been my mayonnaise-free, summer side for the past 30 (+-) years. It’s easily adapted to include your favorite pasta, vegetables, cheese and cooked meats. This is my version of a cook-out, picnic or potluck classic!

We use Tri-Color Rotini pasta to add a little color, and because the cute spirals hold on to the dressing ensuring plenty of flavor in every bite.

You can use whatever pasta you have on hand, but something with texture is best. Cook your pasta al dente, according to package directions, then rinse with cold water. Drain the pasta and toss with tomatoes, assorted olives, diced onion, seasoned salt, broccoli florets and our zesty homemade Italian dressing. That’s it! Let it marinate as time allows, and toss in the cheese just before serving.

Crisp tender broccoli is a must in this pasta salad!

In my family raw broccoli is not always a favorite vegetable on the crudités platter. But no worries, we have a quick and easy trick for prepping this chewy vegetable. The broccoli is cleaned and cut into bite sized florets then placed in a colander in the sink. Very hot, almost boiling water from a kettle is poured over the broccoli to brighten the color and take the edge off the crunchiness. The broccoli is still crisp tender without tasting raw. This easy step makes all the difference in this salad.

This easy pasta salad stays fresh for days and just gets better with time.

Have a little extra dressing on hand to freshen it up and serve again! We love this zesty homemade dressing with plenty of fresh herbs, but feel free to use your favorite bottled Italian dressing in a pinch. You can also transform this salad by adding grilled chicken, pepperoni, or any other cooked meat for a hearty lunch or dinner. Don’t be afraid to add some lettuce too – you can’t mess this up!

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5 from 1 vote