My Most Requested Pasta Salad for Memorial Day Weekend
My Most Requested Pasta Salad for Memorial Day Weekend recipe with fresh vegetables, Italian dressing & cheese. Perfect for crowds, stays fresh & tastes better the next day!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes (plus 30 minutes chilling)
- Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 1 lb rotini or bowtie pasta
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup diced cucumber
- 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
- 1/2 cup sliced black olives
- 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1 cup cubed cheddar or mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup sliced salami or pepperoni (optional)
- 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley or basil
For the Dressing:
- 3/4 cup Italian dressing
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water.
- Prep vegetables while pasta cools: halve tomatoes, dice cucumber and bell pepper, chop onion.
- Slice olives and cheese. Chop herbs. Slice meat if using.
- Whisk dressing ingredients in small bowl until smooth.
- Combine pasta, vegetables, cheese, and meat in large bowl. Pour dressing over and toss.
- Add herbs and toss gently.
- Chill 30 minutes before serving. Best after 2-3 hours.