Nothing new about a Classic Italian Pasta Salad. Its appeal comes from its ease of preparation using ingredients according to seasonal availability, or whatever you want to toss in! It is a great summer side or main dish. Look at those beautiful colors!
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Salad Add-ins
If you are in the mood, toss in chunks of ham or pepperoni. Add olives or cubed cheddar cheese. Use your favorite bottled Italian dressing or follow the recipe below.
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Classic Italian Pasta Salad
- 8 ounces Rotini pasta or favorite pasta shape
- 2 1/2 cups assorted cut-up fresh vegetables, (bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, blanches snow peas)
- 1/2 cup cubed cheese (cheddar or favorite. I used Asiago)
- 1/3 cup sliced pitted ripe olives, (optional)
- 1 cup Italian Dressing, purchased or homemade recipe below
Italian Salad Dressing
INGREDIENTS
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 3 tablespoons Mayonnaise or Miracle Whip
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
DIRECTIONS
Combine all the dressing ingredients and 1 to 2 tablespoons water in a blender or food processor; puree until smooth.
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Perfect for the summer I am going to try the homemade dressing. That is my kick lately to have homemade dressing in the fridge. Tastes so much better than that in the bottle.
This looks so good and I love salads like this that you can customize to suit your own taste
This looks so good! I love pasta salad! =)
Oh, how I wish my husband liked pasta salad because it would make things so much easier. I just happen to love it — all kinds — and this certainly looks like a recipe to be added to my repertoire. Yum!
Oh this looks so good, Lorraine. I do like the bigger chunks of veggies and it makes it so pretty to look at too! I hope you had a lovely July 4th weekend!
This sounds wonderful, hoping to try it this week.
Yum! This looks delicious! I haven't made pasta salad in ages….I should do something about that! Thanks for the inspiration.