Description
This California Pasta Salad is a crowd-pleasing dish perfect for any occasion. It’s packed with fresh vegetables, savory cheese, and tossed in a zesty Italian dressing. A simple and delicious addition to your meal rotation.
Ingredients
- 12 oz rotini pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- ½ cup red onion, finely chopped
- ½ cup black olives, sliced
- ½ cup bell pepper, chopped
- ½ cup sharp cheddar cheese, cubed
- ½ cup Italian salad dressing
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
- In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, black olives, bell pepper, and cheddar cheese.
- Pour Italian dressing over the salad and toss to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For best results, use rotini pasta as it holds the dressing well.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like broccoli florets or celery.
- The salad can be made a day in advance.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American