Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing
User Reviews
5
Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing
Description
Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing offers a customizable base of cooked tri-colored spiral pasta dressed thoroughly with zesty Italian salad dressing and lemon pepper seasoning. The recipe encourages adding diverse ingredients such as chopped artichoke hearts, diced tomatoes, sliced olives, and seasoned cooked chicken, catering to personal preference and available produce. After cooking, the pasta is cooled with cold water, preventing overcooking and ensuring a satisfying al dente texture.
The salad’s flavor profile is bright and tangy from the Italian dressing, balanced by the lemon pepper seasoning. The addition of vegetables and proteins contributes to varied textures, from crisp to tender. Tossing ingredients gently preserves the integrity of delicate mix-ins like chopped string cheese or avocado.
Serving this salad chilled after at least four hours in the refrigerator enhances the melding of flavors, making it suitable for make-ahead meals. It works well as a side dish at gatherings or as a light lunch. The recipe suggests adding sensitive ingredients like cheese or avocado only just before serving to prevent sogginess or discoloration.
Note that nutritional information accounts only for pasta and dressing; additional toppings can alter nutritional values. The salad’s flexible ingredient list invites experimentation with seasonings and additions to suit taste and seasonality.
Ingredients
- 16 ounces spiral pasta tri-colored
- 16 ounces Italian salad dressing zesty
- 2 teaspoons lemon pepper seasoning
Now here's the fun part, add a few or all of the following:
- artichoke hearts chopped
- tomato diced
- olive sliced
- salami diced, or pepperoni
- red onion chopped
- green bell pepper chopped, or red bell pepper
- string cheese chopped into little circles
- Parmesan Cheese shredded
- broccoli chopped
- baby corn chopped
- avocado diced
- sun-dried tomatoes
- chicken cooked and diced, seasoned
Instructions
- Cook the noodles in boiling water until al dente. Rinse under cold water and drain. Pour into a large mixing bowl.
- While pasta is cooking, chop and dice any ingredients that need preparing.
- Gently toss the pasta, dressing, and all other remaining ingredients together. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.
Notes
- Prepare the pasta salad a day in advance and refrigerate to enhance flavor melding.
- Add cheese or avocado just before serving to maintain fresh texture and appearance.
- The nutritional facts apply only to pasta and dressing; toppings will affect nutrition.
- Feel free to customize with your preferred combination of suggested ingredients.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 10Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 280 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 280kcal | 14% |
| Carbohydrates | 40g | 13% |
| Protein | 6g | 12% |
| Fat | 10g | 15% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Sodium | 453mg | 19% |
| Potassium | 152mg | 3% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 22IU | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 20mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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