Easiest Summer Italian Pasta Salad
User Reviews
5
Easiest Summer Italian Pasta Salad
Description
The Easiest Summer Italian Pasta Salad features cooked pasta tossed with a creamy, flavorful dressing made from Italian dressing, mayonnaise, and spices. The combination of sweet bell peppers, crisp cucumbers, tangy olives, bacon, and Parmesan cheese adds a mix of textures and savory notes. The pasta is cooked al dente and mixed with olive oil to prevent sticking as it cools before combining with the dressing and vegetables. This salad can be served either chilled or at room temperature, making it versatile for picnics or casual meals.
The salad benefits from gentle tossing to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated without breaking the bacon or crushing the vegetables. Leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, allowing the flavors to meld further.
Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as desired before serving to suit personal taste.
Ingredients
For the Pasta Salad:
- 16 oz pasta corkscrew or bowtie work well, dry
- 3-4 TB extra virgin olive oil
- 2 bell pepper red, yellows, or oranges seeded and diced, large, sweet
- 2 cucumber seeded and diced
- ½ cup olives sliced
- 1 cup Bacon crumbled, crispy
- 1 cup Parmesan Cheese freshly grated
For the Dressing:
- 16 oz Italian dressing your favorite
- 6 TB mayonnaise real
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp black pepper freshly ground
Instructions
- Cook the pasta to al dente, according to package instruction, taking care not to over-cook. Drain (don't rinse) and sprinkle with olive oil to prevent sticking while it cools to room temp.
Make Dressing
- Gently hand-whisk together all dressing ingredients in a bowl until smooth and creamy. Cover and chill until ready to use.
Assemble
- In a large serving bowl, toss cooled pasta with your prepared dressing. Add peppers, cucumbers, and olives. Toss gently to coat thoroughly. Add more salt and pepper to taste, if needed. Gently toss in the bacon and parmesan. Serve at room temp or chilled. Keeps very well covered and chilled until ready to serve (up to 24 hours.)
Notes
- Cover and refrigerate leftovers; the salad keeps well for up to 24 hours and is great for next-day lunches.
- Grape or cherry tomatoes can be substituted for bell peppers for a different flavor and texture.
- Feel free to increase the amounts of bacon and Parmesan cheese to enhance the savory elements.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 20servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 247 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 247kcal | 12% |
| Carbohydrates | 22g | 7% |
| Protein | 7g | 14% |
| Fat | 14g | 22% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5g | 29% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Trans Fat | 0.03g | 2% |
| Cholesterol | 12mg | 4% |
| Sodium | 606mg | 25% |
| Potassium | 188mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 605IU | 12% |
| Vitamin C | 22mg | 24% |
| Calcium | 61mg | 6% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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