Italian Pasta Salad (with Special Seasoning)
User Reviews
5
Italian Pasta Salad (with Special Seasoning)
Description
This salad begins by cooking tri-color rotini pasta until tender, then rinsing and cooling it. The pasta is combined with savory slices of pepperoni, sliced black olives, diced red onion, cubed cheddar, crisp cucumber, and halved grape tomatoes. Chilling the mixture lets the flavors blend and the salad firm up.
Before serving, the salad seasoning and a zesty Italian dressing are stirred in, adding a bright, tangy component that complements the fresh vegetables, sharp cheese, and savory pepperoni. The seasoning adds herb and spice notes that distinguish this pasta salad.
An Italian pasta salad like this works well as a side dish at barbecues, potlucks, or family meals. It pairs with grilled meats or can be enjoyed on its own as a flavorful, colorful salad. Leftovers stored in an airtight container will keep in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours, and may require freshening with a little extra dressing before serving again.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces rotini pasta tri-color
- 1 can black olive 2.25 ounce) drained, sliced
- 5 ounces pepperoni cut into quarters, sliced
- 1/2 cup onion red, chopped
- 1 cup cheddar cheese cubed
- 1 cup cucumber diced
- 1 pint grape tomatoes halved (or cherry tomatoes)
- 3 tablespoons pasta salad seasoning
- 1 cup Italian dressing zesty
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions in a large pot. Drain the pasta in a colander and allow it to cool. 12 ounces tri-color rotini pasta
- Once the pasta has cooled to room temperature, place the pasta in a large bowl. Add the drained olives, pepperoni, onion, cheese, cucumber and tomato. Mix well. 1 can sliced black olives, 5 ounces sliced pepperoni, 1/2 cup chopped red onion, 1 cup cubed cheddar cheese, 1 cup diced cucumber, 1 pint grape tomatoes
- Refrigerate the salad to chill it for at least an hour.
- Just before serving, sprinkle the salad seasoning on top of the salad, then pour the dressing over the top. Mix well. 3 tablespoons pasta salad seasoning, 1 cup zesty Italian dressing
- Add more dressing, to taste. Garnish with parmesan cheese if desired.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up 48 hours. It may need more dressing to freshen it up as it sits. This is best served the day you make it.
Notes
- Salad serves about 10, with 1 serving equal to one-tenth of the recipe.
- Nutritional values are estimates; for accuracy, run ingredients through a dedicated nutrition calculator.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 10servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 370 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 370kcal | 19% |
| Carbohydrates | 33g | 11% |
| Protein | 11g | 22% |
| Fat | 22g | 34% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4g | 24% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 10g | 50% |
| Trans Fat | 0.2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 25mg | 8% |
| Sodium | 1145mg | 48% |
| Potassium | 301mg | 6% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 679IU | 14% |
| Vitamin C | 8mg | 9% |
| Calcium | 121mg | 12% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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