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Close-up of a vibrant pasta salad with rotini pasta, cherry tomatoes, red onion, bell peppers, and olives, topped with Parmesan cheese and parsley.

Olive Garden Copycat Pasta Salad

A delicious and easy pasta salad inspired by Olive Garden, perfect for gatherings and picnics.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Salad
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta
  • 12 oz rotini pasta Cooked and cooled
  • 1 cup Italian dressing Preferably Olive Garden Signature Italian Dressing
  • 0.5 cup red bell pepper Diced
  • 0.5 cup green bell pepper Diced
  • 0.5 cup red onion Thinly sliced
  • 0.5 cup carrot Grated
  • 0.5 cup cherry tomatoes Halved
  • 0.5 cup black olives Sliced
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese Cubed
  • 0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • to taste Salt and pepper
  • for garnish Fresh parsley Chopped

Method
 

  1. Cook the rotini pasta until al dente, then rinse with cold water and drain.
  2. In a large bowl, combine pasta, Italian dressing, and Parmesan cheese; mix well.
  3. Add diced peppers, onion, grated carrot, cherry tomatoes, and olives; toss gently.
  4. Fold in cubed mozzarella cheese and season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  5. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, then toss again and garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

Notes

For best flavor, let the salad chill for at least an hour before serving.