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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 packedย 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 Easyย Pasta Saladย Recipeย with Zesty Italian Dressing has beenย my mayonnaise-free, summer side for theย pastย 30 (+-) years. ย 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 theย cruditรฉs platter. ย 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. ย 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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PRINT THE RECIPE!
Easy Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients
For the zesty Italian dressing:
- โ cup white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- โ 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
- ยฝ teaspoon salt
- ยฝ teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
For the pasta salad:
- 12 ounce package of Tri-Color Rotini Pasta
- 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes halved
- ยฝ 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
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients for the dressing in a glass jar or container with a tight fitting lid. Shake vigorously until well blended. Set aside.
- Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and place the pasta in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle a few tablespoons of the dressing on the warm noodles and toss to prevent them from sticking together.
- Place the broccoli florets in a large colander. Pour hot water (almost boiling) over the florets then rinse with cold water. Drain. The hot water will give the broccoli a lovely bright green color and take the raw edge off the vegetable. Add the broccoli to the bowl with the pasta.
- Add the tomatoes, onion, olives and seasoned salt. Pour the prepared dressing over the top of the pasta salad and toss gently to combine. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Add the cheese just before serving.
- Refrigerate leftovers.
Recipe Notes
- In a pinch use your favorite bottled Zesty Italian Dressing.
- Make it your own with these optional add-ins: ย pepperoni, bacon, diced grilled chicken, artichoke hearts, pepperoncini peppers, lettuce or spinachย
Nutrition
Originally published May 2015 – updated June 2019
Here are a few more pasta salad recipes you might enjoy!
- Sun Dried Tomatoes with Mezzi Rigatoni and Fetaย
- Marinated Tomato & Tortellini Salad
- Classic Italian Pasta Salad ~ from Wishes and Dishes
- Greek Yogurt Ranch Pasta Salad ~ from Big Bear’s Wife
- Italian Artichoke and Tomato Pasta Salad ~ from Barefeet in the Kitchen
Thanks so much for stopping by! ย Tricia
Larry
Looks delicious Tricia
Tricia Buice
Thanks Larry!
sue | the view from great island
I love a great pasta salad, and this one is so vibrant! I love to make a big batch on the weekend to enjoy all week long ๐
Tricia Buice
Yes! We love to cook once and eat for many days. Thanks Sue!
Lori
I’ve been making this for years every camping trip …at least once a month for more than 15 years.
Tricia Buice
I can remember making this when our daughter was young and she just turned 28. I guess it’s a classic! Sometimes I use bottled dressing, in fact that’s probably how it started out. Thanks for the comment! Where do you like to camp? We are in Virginia.
Jennifer
I’ve been looking for a simple pasta salad recipe. This one is it, although I’m going to add pepperoni. Thank you Tricia!
Tricia Buice
Thanks Jennifer – it is so easy to adapt and make it your own – enjoy and thanks for commenting!
Mandy
My family has a similar recipe, need to find it to share with everybody.
Have a super day Tricia.
๐ Mandy xo
Tricia Buice
Can’t wait to see your family pasta salad Mandy – this is always a favorite ๐
Susan
I do have an old stand-by summer pasta recipe but I’m willing to try a new, old favorite ๐ This one not only looks so pretty with all of the colors, the dressing sounds wonderful!
Tricia Buice
Thanks Susan – It’s a favorite ๐ Have a lovely weekend!
Cali @ Cali's Cuisine
I love a good pasta salad and this one looks especially wonderful with all the pretty colors. I can imagine how wonderful the flavors are as well!
Tricia Buice
Thanks Cali – pasta is pretty great just on it’s own but add about anything to it and I am a happy girl! Have a lovely weekend and thanks for stopping by.
sue|theviewfromgreatisland
LOVE that wicker bowl, and the salad looks so pretty and refreshing, I’ve got to pick up some of those colored twists!
Tricia Buice
That bowl is so old Sue – I think we got it as a wedding present and we will be celebrating 30 years this December. I guess it has held up pretty well! Love the tricolor pasta – especially in a salad. Thanks for stopping by!
John/Kitchen Riffs
I love pasta salads at this time of the year! And leftover pasta salad is seriously good for breakfast. So I always make extra, just for that. ๐ This is terrific — pretty, and loaded with flavor. And I have all the herbs growing in my garden that your vinaigrette requires!
handmade by amalia
I’m giving it a try! I’m always looking for new packed lunches for work and this looks perfect (and delicious).
Amalia
xo
Abbe @ This is How I Cook
Tricia, I love salads like this. Sorry, I’ve been so remiss lately. We gave my mom an 80th surprise birthday party over the weekend and it has kept me very busy. Couldn’t explain on line because she reads my blog! I do plan on reading about all the good things I’ve missed!
Tricia Buice
You are so sweet Abbe – How wonderful that you did that for your mom. Happy birthday to mom and a surprise too – that is awesome! Hope you recover quickly and thanks for stopping by!
Monique
Looks so fresh!
Love the rattan/bowl combo!
Tricia Buice
Thanks Monique! It is tasty
Gerlinde @ Sunnycovechef
This looks like the perfect salad for a potluck or picnic. Have fun with your 20 pounds of strawberries. My family and friends love strawberry jam .
Tricia Buice
Thanks Gerlinde – I froze a lot of strawberries and made a few recipes you will see soon on the blog! Thanks so much for stopping by ๐
Chris Scheuer
I love having old standby, never fail recipes like this. So perfect for summer!
Tricia Buice
Thanks Chris – summer foods are fun!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
This is a beautiful salad, Tricia and I am in need of agreat non-mayonnaise pasta salad recipe, so thanks!
Tricia Buice
Can’t go wrong with this simple salad Jennifer. Everybody seems to really enjoy it. Yummy – had the last of it for breakfast this morning – sad but true on several levels haha.
Monica
This looks fabulous, Tricia. We grilled a couple of times this past weekend and this pasta salad would have been so welcomed at the table out there! Good thing there will be plenty more grilling opportunities to come. Hope you had a great long weekend.
Tricia Buice
I did have a nice weekend Monica – thanks! We worked a little too hard I’m afraid – pulling up carpet and moving furniture. Yuck ๐ I’ll be glad to get all this done. Grilling and relaxing sounds pretty great right now. Enjoy your week and thanks!~
Wendy
I make a very similar pasta salad using orzo pasta, but the rest of the ingredients are almost the same. ๐ You are right…it is always a favorite! Your salad is much prettier with the tricolor pasta. I am going to try it your way next time, using the rotini and your tips for more colorful broccoli! Here’s to a long and relaxing bbq and picnic season!
Tricia Buice
I love the trip-color pasta – the dressing sticks in the sides of the Rotini. Great for BBQ’s!
Angie@Angie's Recipes
I just love how colourful and fresh this pasta salad looks! Bet it tastes just as great as it looks.
Tricia Buice
Thanks Angie – it is a favorite. Have a wonderful week!
Toni | BoulderLocavore
What a perfect summer salad Tricia! I love a pasta salad and one that is so colorful especially. Also your dressing sounds delicious too! Sadly we’ve had nothing but rain for over 3 weeks now (the wettest spring in 20 years) so you’ve given a peek at summer with this post; thank you!
Tricia Buice
That is unusual weather for the front range Toni. Maybe it will turn the corner soon. Have a great week and thanks for stopping by!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef
I make this salad and it’s always a hit. Okay, not exactly like this because I put roasted sweet potatoes, butternut squash and roasted red onions in mine but the rest is the same. LOL I love it!
Tricia Buice
That sounds wonderful Maureen – I would have never thought to add the squash and potatoes. Love the red onions and roasted sounds perfect! Great combination. Have a wonderful week.