Tricolor Pasta Salad With Italian Dressing is our family favorite pasta salad, packed with fresh vegetables and just a bit of richness to delight all those that taste it. Although there are plenty of substitutions you could make, I highly recommend this combination of ingredients for the freshest, most flavorful take on a classic Italian pasta salad.
Jump to:
What Ingredients Do I Need to Make Tricolor Pasta Salad With Italian Dressing?
- Tricolor Pasta: I used Ronzoni Garden Delight Rotini for its fresh and natural flavors.
- A Little Love: Cubed Monterey Jack Cheese, sliced black olives and sliced pepperoni.
- Colorful Fresh Vegetables: Red bell pepper, red onion, vine-ripened tomatoes, english cucumber and broccoli
- Herbs and Spices: The Good Seasons Italian Dressing Mix (Dry) has a wonderful variety of spices. Minced fresh basil also adds a fresh taste.
- Vinegar: Use high quality balsamic and red wine vinegar. I highly recommend the combination of the two vinegars to get the perfect taste!
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Made from pure, cold-pressed olives with a peppery, fruity flavor.
How Do I Make Tricolor Pasta Salad With Italian Dressing?
First, prepare the dressing by mixing together the Good Seasons Italian Dressing packet, water, both vinegars and olive oil. If using the cruet, substitute ½ of the oil with water.
Cook the pasta to al dente. Then drain and run it under cool water. Drizzle a little olive oil over the pasta to keep it from sticking together. Meanwhile, dice the red bell pepper, red onion, cucumber and broccoli. (I only use the florets and break them into small pieces and then carefully cut them into smaller florets.) Dice up the cheese into small bite-sized cubes.
To finish it off, toss together the pasta, diced veggies, black olives, pepperoni and cheese. Pour 2 tablespoons of dressing over the salad and gently mix together. While refrigerating, the dressing will soak into the pasta and make it more flavorful without making your pasta soggy. Refrigerate the pasta salad for at least one hour. Then, just before serving, toss the remaining salad dressing into the pasta and veggies.
📖 Recipe
Tricolor Pasta Salad With Italian Dressing
Ingredients
- 12 oz. Tricolor Pasta
- 8 oz. Monterey Jack Cheese
- 1 small red bell pepper
- ½ a red onion
- 6 vine ripened tomatoes
- 1 english cucumber
- 1 small head of broccoli
- 1 small can of sliced olives
- 30 slices of pepperoni approximately
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh basil
- 1 packet Good Seasons Italian Dressing Mix Dry
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup water
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing:
- Mix together the Good Seasons packet, water both vinegars and olive oil. If using the cruet, substitute ½ of the oil with water.
- Prepare the Pasta Salad:
- Cook the pasta to al dente. Then drain and run it under cool water. Drizzle a little olive oil over the pasta to keep it from sticking together. Meanwhile, dice the red bell pepper, red onion, cucumber and broccoli. (I only use the florets and break them into small pieces and then carefully cut them into smaller florets.)
- Cut the loaf of cheese into small bite-sized cubes.
- Toss together the pasta, diced veggies, black olives, pepperoni and cheese. Pour 2 tablespoons of dressing over the salad and gently toss. The dressing will soak into the pasta and make it more flavorful without making your pasta soggy. Refrigerate pasta salad for at least 60 minutes. Just before serving, toss the remaining salad dressing into the pasta salad.
Leave a Reply