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5.0 from 6 votes

Classic Pasta Salad

This Classic Pasta Salad is so delicious and equally gorgeous in presentation. Be sure to use top-notch dressing! If not serving right away, simply add a little more dressing just before serving, and toss gently. This salad is best when served within a few hours (at the most) of preparing. And at room temperature.

Prep Time
25 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Additional Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 35 mins
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 220 kcal
Course: Side Dish , Salad
Cuisine: Italian , American

Ingredients

  • ½ cup Italian dressing or good-quaity store-bought
  • 12 oz pasta tri-color rotini, or fusilli, bow tie, or elbow
  • ½ cup artichoke hearts, in oil drained, or more, if desired
  • ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil drained and roughly chopped, use more, if desired
  • ½ cup black olives sliced and drained, use more, if desired
  • ¼ cup fresh basil roughly chopped
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Prepare the Italian dressing and chill for at least one hour.
  2. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of liberally salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente. Usually 9 to 12 minutes. Drain and rinse with cool water until no longer hot. Transfer to large bowl.
  3. Add the artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, basil, salt, pepper and dressing.
  4. Gently stir until the pasta is fully coated and all ingredients are evenly distributed. Taste and add more salt and/or dressing, if desired.
  5. Serve at once, or cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 4 hours. If not serving immediately, add several tablespoons of dressing just before serving, and stir.

Notes

  • We strongly suggest using the homemade Italian dressing for this salad.  It really puts it over the top.  However, a quality bottled version will work, too. 
  • Small to medium bite-sized pasta works well.  Rotini or fusilli are our favorites.  Tri-color is tasty and very beautiful.
  • This pasta salad is easily adapted to tastes.  Other great additions are cubed mozzarella, Italian cured meats, and pepperoncini peppers.
  • The is best served fresh, but you can make up to a day in advance.  Just add more of the dressing and toss before serving.  We find that it's still perfect after sitting in the fridge for up to 4 hours before serving.  Setting the salad out an hour before serving helps the flavor and texture, too.  

Nutrition Information

Calories 220kcal (11%) Carbohydrates 35g (12%) Protein 6g (12%) Fat 6g (9%) Saturated Fat 1g (5%) Sodium 443mg (18%) Potassium 215mg (6%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 3g (6%) Vitamin A 161IU (3%) Vitamin C 7mg (8%) Calcium 20mg (2%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8people

Amount Per Serving

Calories 220

% Daily Value*

Calories 220kcal 11%
Carbohydrates 35g 12%
Protein 6g 12%
Fat 6g 9%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Sodium 443mg 18%
Potassium 215mg 5%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 3g 6%
Vitamin A 161IU 3%
Vitamin C 7mg 8%
Calcium 20mg 2%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.