Italian pasta salad is a colorful, zesty dish loaded with veggies, cheese, and a tangy dressing—perfect for picnics, BBQs, or a quick meal.
🇮🇹 Italian Pasta Salad (Classic Recipe)
🧾 Ingredients
- 3 cups pasta (fusilli, penne, or rotini)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1 cup cucumber (chopped)
- ½ cup black olives (sliced)
- ½ cup bell peppers (chopped)
- ½ cup red onion (thinly sliced)
- 1 cup mozzarella cubes (or small balls)
Optional add-ins:
- Salami or chicken pieces
- Fresh basil leaves
🥗 Dressing
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 3 tbsp vinegar (red wine vinegar preferred)
- 1 tsp garlic (minced)
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt & black pepper (to taste)
- ½ tsp chili flakes (optional)
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Cook pasta
- Boil in salted water until al dente
- Drain and rinse under cold water to cool
2. Prep ingredients
- Chop all vegetables and cheese
3. Make dressing
- Whisk olive oil, vinegar, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper
4. Combine
- Toss pasta with veggies and cheese
- Pour dressing over and mix well
5. Chill
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes for best flavor
🍋 Tips for the best flavor
- Don’t overcook pasta—slightly firm works best
- Add dressing while pasta is slightly warm for better absorption
- Taste and adjust salt after chilling
- A splash of lemon juice brightens everything
🍽️ Variations
- Creamy version: Mix in a little mayo or yogurt
- Protein-packed: Add grilled chicken or chickpeas
- Vegetarian: Skip meat and add more veggies or beans
If you want, I can give you a restaurant-style version like from Olive Garden or a desi-style spicy pasta salad twist 😄
