Italian-style Pasta Salad

Written by on in Appetizer, Brunch, Dinner, Salad, Side Dish, Snack

This simple pasta salad combines homemade Italian salad dressing with pasta and veggies. It’s fancy enough for adults, but kids love it, too!

Italian-style Pasta Salad
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Italian-style Pasta Salad

Recipe by The Cooking LawyerCourse: Salad, Dinner, LunchDifficulty: Easy
Servings

8

servings
Prep time

30

minutes
Cooking time

12

minutes
Total time

42

minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 lbs. pasta, like rotini or elbows

  • 2 stalks celery, diced

  • 2 carrots, diced

  • 1 onion, diced

  • 1/4 cup sliced black olives, like Kalamata

  • 1/4 cup sliced Manzanilla olives

  • 1/4 cup roasted red pepper diced

  • 1/4 banana peppers, sliced

  • 4 oz. cheese, like mozzarella or asiago, cubed into bite-sized pieces

  • Italian dressing

  • 1/3 cup olive oil

  • 1/3 cup red wine vinegar

  • Zest and juice of one lemon

  • 1 TBS Dijon mustard

  • 1/2 TBS honey

  • 2 cloves garlic, pressed through garlic grater

  • 1 tsp Italian seasonings

  • Dash of crushed red pepper

  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

  • Cook pasta according to directions on box.
  • While the pasta cooks, whisk together the ingredients for the Italian salad dressing.
  • Dice the celery, carrots, and onions.
  • Slice the olives (black and Manzanilla), peppers (roasted red and banana), and cheese.
  • As soon as the pasta is done cooking, drain the water and add the dressing. Stir to combine.
  • Let the pasta cool. Then add the remaining ingredients (celery, carrots, onions, olives, peppers, and cheese).
  • Serve at room temperature or refrigerated.

Notes

  • If your kids love cheese sticks as much as mine, cut three cheese sticks up for the cheese instead of buying a block of cheese.
  • You can adapt this recipe easily to your taste. Add fresh bell peppers, or other vegetables, like zucchini. This is a great way to use up any leftover veggies.