Italian Pasta Salad
If there’s one side dish that always disappears first at summer potlucks, it’s Italian Pasta Salad. It’s fresh, colorful, full of flavor, and ridiculously easy to make ahead—which is basically the holy grail of warm-weather cooking.
This version uses tri-color rotini for that fun, festive look, plus a combo of crunchy veggies, cubed Colby Jack cheese, mini pepperoni, and a generous pour of Olive Garden Italian Dressing. And let’s not forget the magic touch: McCormick Salad Supreme Seasoning.
It adds a pop of tangy, herby flavor that takes this salad from “good” to “please send me the recipe.”
Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or just want an easy side dish to keep in the fridge, this pasta salad is a reliable favorite. It’s bright, bold, and always hits the spot.
Why You’ll Love This Pasta Salad
- No stress: Cook the pasta, toss everything together, and chill. Done.
- Totally customizable: Add olives, red onion, bell peppers, or swap the cheese and meat.
- Make-ahead friendly: It tastes even better the next day.
- Perfect for any occasion: BBQs, pool parties, family dinners—you name it.
What is Italian Pasta Salad?
Italian Pasta Salad is a cold, refreshing dish made with cooked pasta, fresh vegetables, cheese, and meats—tossed in a zesty Italian dressing.
It’s a popular side dish for summer gatherings like picnics, barbecues, or potlucks.
Ingredients
- Tri-color rotini pasta
- Olive Garden Signature Italian Dressing
- McCormick Salad Supreme Seasoning
- Cucumber, sliced and quartered
- Colby Jack cheese, cubed
- Cherry tomatoes, halved
- Mini pepperoni
How to make Italian Pasta Salad
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
Add the tri-color rotini and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking and cool it down.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta, cucumbers, tomatoes, cheese cubes, mini pepperoni.
Pour in the Olive Garden Italian dressing and sprinkle on the McCormick Salad Supreme seasoning.
Toss everything together until well coated.
Taste and add more dressing or seasoning if needed.
Cover and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 1 hour before serving.
This allows the flavors to meld and makes it extra refreshing.
Give it a quick toss before serving.
Fresh, flavorful, and ready to impress.
Italian Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 1 box 12 oz tri-color rotini pasta
- 1 ½ cups Olive Garden Signature Italian Dressing more to taste
- 1 ½ tablespoons McCormick Salad Supreme Seasoning
- 1 medium cucumber sliced and quartered
- 1 cup Colby Jack cheese cubed
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 cup mini pepperoni
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the tri-color rotini and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
- Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking and cool it down.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta, cucumbers, tomatoes, cheese cubes, mini pepperoni.
- Pour in the Olive Garden Italian dressing and sprinkle on the McCormick Salad Supreme seasoning.
- Toss everything together until well coated. Taste and add more dressing or seasoning if needed.
- Cover and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 1 hour before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and makes it extra refreshing.
- Give it a quick toss before serving.
- Fresh, flavorful, and ready to impress.
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