Italian Pasta Salad
This easy Italian pasta salad is loaded with crunchy veggies, tangy dressing, and salty bites of cheese and olives. It’s a quick, crowd-pleasing recipe that’s perfect for potlucks, lunches, or make-ahead meals.
Ingredients
- 1 16 oz box rotini pasta
- 1 cup chopped cucumber
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- ½ cup sliced black olives
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or cubed cheddar cheese
- ½ cup diced pepperoni optional
- ¾ cup Italian dressing store-bought or homemade
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the rotini pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 9 to 10 minutes.
- Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water until fully cooled.
- Transfer the cooled pasta to a large mixing bowl.
- Add the chopped cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced black olives, shredded mozzarella or cubed cheddar, and diced pepperoni.
- Pour the Italian dressing over the mixture.
- Sprinkle in the garlic powder and dried oregano.
- Gently stir until all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing and seasonings.
- Taste and add salt and pepper as needed.
- Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Stir again before serving and add a splash of extra dressing if needed.