Colorful Italian Pasta Salad: A Crowd-Pleasing Potluck Favorite 🥗🇮🇹

Italian Pasta Salad Recipe 🍝🥗

Description: This Italian Pasta Salad is a delightful dish perfect for serving to a crowd. Whether you’re attending a potluck or hosting a barbecue, this salad is sure to be a hit! With its vibrant colors and flavorful ingredients, it not only tastes great but also looks stunning on the table.

• Category: European
• Keywords: Potluck, < 60 Mins, Beginner Cook, Easy
• Servings: 12
• Total Time: 38 minutes
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 box tri-color spiral pasta
• 1/4 cup grated Asiago cheese
• 1/4 cup diced mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup sliced black olives
• 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
• 1 cup chopped green onions
• 1 cup diced tomatoes
• 2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 3 tbsp dried oregano
• 1 tbsp dried parsley
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 envelope Italian dressing mix

Instructions:

1. Cook Pasta: In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the tri-color spiral pasta until al dente according to package instructions.
2. Cool Pasta: Drain the cooked pasta and rinse it under cold water to cool it down quickly.
3. Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, diced salami, diced pepperoni, grated Asiago cheese, diced mozzarella cheese, sliced black olives, diced red bell pepper, chopped green onions, and diced tomatoes.
4. Prepare Dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, dried oregano, dried parsley, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
5. Mix Dressing: Just before serving, pour the prepared dressing over the pasta salad and toss well to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated.
6. Chill: Cover the salad with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour to allow the flavors to meld together.
7. Serve: Once chilled, give the salad a final toss and transfer it to a serving bowl. Garnish with additional grated Parmesan cheese if desired, and serve chilled.

Nutritional Information (per serving):

• Calories: 432.7
• Total Fat: 27.3g
  • Saturated Fat: 7.3g
• Cholesterol: 34.8mg
• Sodium: 563mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 32.8g
  • Dietary Fiber: 2.4g
  • Sugar: 3.3g
• Protein: 14g

This Italian Pasta Salad is not only delicious but also packed with vibrant flavors and textures. It’s the perfect dish to bring to any gathering, and it’s so easy to make that even beginner cooks can whip it up with ease. Enjoy this flavorful salad with friends and family at your next gathering! 🎉