Make Ahead Italian Pasta Salad
A vibrant and flavorful Italian pasta salad that’s perfect for making ahead. Tossed with a zesty homemade Italian dressing, crisp vegetables, and creamy mozzarella, this salad is ideal for picnics, potlucks, or easy weeknight meals.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6
Ingredients
12 ounces rotini pasta
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup cucumber, diced
1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
1/2 cup yellow bell pepper, diced
1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
1 cup mozzarella cheese, diced
1/4 cup black olives, sliced
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes.
Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta. Drain well and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, dried oregano, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until well combined to make the Italian dressing.
Add the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, red onion, black olives, mozzarella cheese, and chopped parsley to the bowl with the pasta.
Pour the dressing over the pasta and vegetables. Toss gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight to allow the flavors to meld.
Before serving, give the pasta salad a gentle toss and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.