This is the easiest pasta salad to throw together. It's delicious and makes the perfect side to bring to a barbecue or you can even enjoy it as a meal like I do. I literally could eat this pasta salad all summer long. When I make this pasta salad, I often double the recipe so I can have it for days. It's my absolute favorite! The Vidalia onions give it that perfect summer flair. Could anyone else just eat Vidalia onions on their own? I made this pasta salad so many times at the lake house over summer of 2018, it become a summer staple for our family. At the age of 8, Lily would proudly announce that an onion was her favorite vegetable and I am pretty sure the only reason was because of this pasta salad. She would literally eat them like an apple presenting the biggest grin on her face. This pasta salad has all the colors of the rainbow using a variety of vegetables, and has meats and cheeses too. This is a pasta salad that young and old will love.
Doesn't look tantalizing delicious?
If you are looking for more summer time salads, you have to check out this BROCCOLI CAULIFLOWER SALAD it was one of my later husband Quintin's favorites and in honor of him, I have it listed on my COOKING WITH Q section of my blog. Lots of dinners from Q himself that include some amazing recipes that you can make and share with your family. This would make my heart so happy for you to share a little bit about him while sharing one of his favorites, and I know it would for him too.
So mama, if you love easy delicious pasta salads you will have to make this one. Here is how I put together this pasta salad.
Ingredients: Pasta Salad
- 12 oz bowtie pasta
- 1 cup Olive Garden Italian Dressing
- 1 cucumber chopped in quarter size
- 8 oz carrot sliced
- 2 peppers red, yellow, orange
- 1 broccoli head
- 10 oz cherry tomatoes
- 6 oz olives
- 8 oz fresh mozerella pearls
- 1/2 Onion Vidalia
These STAINLESS STEEL VIKING BOWLS are my favorite for prepping, serving and storing food and have 5 different sizes that will be perfect for dips, salads and more!
Instructions: Pasta Salad
- In a bowl over high heat boil water and add bowtie pasta and cook until al dente about 11 mins
- Cut all vegetables to desired size and set aside
- Cut salami and pepperoni in 1/4's and set aside
- In a large bowl add strained and cooled pasta then add all chopped vegetables then meats
- Add mozzarella pearls – or any other cheese cubes you wish.
- Add Olive Garden Italian dressing and toss together
- Allow pasta salad to set up with all ingredients for 2-4 hours or overnight then serve.
Side Idea:
This pasta salad is great paired with these Bacon Wrapped Chicken Skewers with Honey Mustard Sauce or even as a stand alone dish.
Crazy Busy Mama Tip:
Don't have time to let it chill and set up in the refrigerator? No worries, when you are straining the pasta rinse off the pasta with cold water and make sure to toss and rinse again to ensure all pasta has been rinsed. Then the pasta should be chilled enough to add all the ingredients, toss and immediately serve.
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Video Tutorial: Pasta Salad
For those of you who love a step by step video tutorial, here is one for you!
So if you loved this Pasta Salad, you will have to give it a 5 star review so I know more of what to feature here for you!
Pasta Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 oz bowtie pasta
- 1 cup Olive Garden Italian Dressing
- 1 cucumber chopped in quarter size
- 8 oz carrot sliced
- 2 peppers red, yellow, orange
- 1 broccoli head
- 10 oz cherry tomatoes
- 6 oz olives
- 8 oz fresh mozerella pearls
- 1/2 Onion Vidalia
Instructions
- In a bowl over high heat boil water and add bowtie pasta and cook until al dente about 11 mins
- Cut all vegetables to desired size and set aside
- Cut salami and pepperoni in 1/4's and set aside
- In a large bowl add strained and cooled pasta then add all chopped vegetables then meats
- Add mozzarella pearls – or any other cheese cubes you wish.
- Add Olive Garden Italian dressing and toss together
- Allow pasta salad to set up with all ingredients for 2-4 hours or overnight then serve.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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This is one of my favorite recipes. Thank you for sharing!!
Looks ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS and exactly what I am looking to make this Summer! How much Salami and Pepperoni’s did you use for this recipe? I didn’t see it in the list of Ingredients.