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Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing
5 from 12 votes

Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing

This Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing uses rotini pasta tossed with thinly sliced bell peppers, red onion, spinach, grated Parmesan, and a flavorful Italian dressing. After chilling, the salad is finished with fresh spinach and additional dressing for a bright, crisp, and well-rounded side dish or light meal.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 360 kcal
Course: Side Dish, Salad, Lunch, Dinner
Cuisine: Italian, American

Ingredients

  • 12 oz. rotini pasta or fusilli
  • 1 cup Italian dressing store-bought or homemade
  • 1 red bell pepper thinly cut into 1-inch slices
  • 1 green bell pepper thinly cut into 1-inch slices
  • ½ red onion thinly cut into 1-inch slices
  • ½ cup Parmesan Cheese grated
  • ¼-½ tsp. salt plus more to taste
  • ¼ tsp. black pepper plus more to taste
  • 3 cups baby spinach

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain in a colander and rinse under cool running water.
  2. Once pasta is cooled to room temperature, combine it with ¾ cup of Italian dressing in a large bowl. Toss until well coated. Reserve the remaining dressing in the refrigerator.
  3. Add bell peppers, onion, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper to taste. Toss until all ingredients are well combined.* Refrigerate pasta salad for 2-4 hours, or until chilled.
  4. Just before serving pour in reserved ¼ cup of Italian dressing and mix in spinach leaves. Serve with an additional sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Notes

  • Use a high-quality Italian dressing or make your own to ensure a balanced and flavorful salad.
  • Thinly slice vegetables evenly to distribute flavors and textures throughout the salad.
  • Soak red onions in ice water for 10-15 minutes before use to mellow their bite.
  • Prepare the salad at least 4 hours ahead to allow dressing to soak into the pasta and meld flavors.
  • Add reserved dressing and fresh spinach just before serving to keep the greens crisp.
  • Ideal pasta shapes include penne, rotini, or fusilli; avoid very small or long-shaped pasta.
  • For gluten-free versions, opt for quinoa or rice-based pasta to prevent breakdown during refrigeration.

Nutrition Information

Calories 360kcal (18%) Carbohydrates 49g (16%) Protein 11g (22%) Fat 13g (20%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Cholesterol 11mg (4%) Sodium 822mg (34%) Potassium 238mg (5%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 6g (12%) Vitamin A 3165IU (63%) Vitamin C 53.4mg (59%) Calcium 166mg (17%) Iron 1.6mg (9%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8 servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 360

% Daily Value*

Calories 360kcal 18%
Carbohydrates 49g 16%
Protein 11g 22%
Fat 13g 20%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Cholesterol 11mg 4%
Sodium 822mg 34%
Potassium 238mg 5%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 6g 12%
Vitamin A 3165IU 63%
Vitamin C 53.4mg 59%
Calcium 166mg 17%
Iron 1.6mg 9%

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