0 from 90 votes
Easiest Summer Italian Pasta Salad
This Easiest Summer Italian Pasta Salad is just that. Super easy, fast, and tasty. It's picnic perfect and cookout ready.
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
23 mins
Servings: 20 servings
Calories: 247 kcal
Course:
Side Dish , Salad
Cuisine:
Italian , American
Ingredients
For the Pasta Salad:
- 16 oz dry pasta corkscrew or bowtie work well
- 3-4 TB extra virgin olive oil
- 2 large sweet bell peppers red, yellows, or oranges seeded and diced
- 2 cucumbers seeded and diced
- ½ cup sliced olives
- 1 cup crumbled crispy bacon
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan
For the Dressing:
- 16 oz your favorite Italian dressing
- 6 TB real mayo
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
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.
Cup of Yum
Make Dressing
- Gently hand-whisk together all dressing ingredients in a bowl until smooth and creamy. Cover and chill until ready to use.
Cup of Yum
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
- Leftovers should be covered and chilled. Great for lunch the next day!Grape/cherry tomatoes are a nice sub for the peppers, if you like.Feel free to add more bacon and parm to taste.
Nutrition Information
Calories
247kcal
(12%)
Carbohydrates
22g
(7%)
Protein
7g
(14%)
Fat
14g
(22%)
Saturated Fat
3g
(15%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
5g
Monounsaturated Fat
5g
Trans Fat
0.03g
Cholesterol
12mg
(4%)
Sodium
606mg
(25%)
Potassium
188mg
(5%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
4g
(8%)
Vitamin A
605IU
(12%)
Vitamin C
22mg
(24%)
Calcium
61mg
(6%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 20servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 247
% 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.