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Fresh Classic Pasta Salad

A vibrant and refreshing pasta salad perfect for potlucks, picnics, or a light lunch. This classic recipe combines colorful vegetables with your favorite pasta and a tangy Italian dressing.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Salad
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta Salad Ingredients
  • 1 pound uncooked rotini or any short pasta like elbows, medium shells, or penne
  • 1 small red onion chopped
  • 1 medium green bell pepper diced and seeded
  • 1 medium orange bell pepper diced and seeded
  • 1 medium yellow bell pepper diced and seeded
  • 10.5 ounce cherry or grape tomatoes halved
  • 1 seedless english cucumber cut into pieces
  • 24 ounce italian dressing

Method
 

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions, then drain and rinse with cold water.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, red onion, green bell pepper, orange bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber.
  3. Pour Italian dressing over the pasta and vegetables. Toss to coat evenly.
  4. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.

Notes

For a creamier salad, add a dollop of mayonnaise or sour cream to the dressing.