Easy Pasta Salad made with mozzarella, black olives, cherry tomatoes, and bell peppers in a creamy Italian dressing is the PERFECT side dish to bring to a potluck or picnic! Easy Pasta Salad is a simple side dish made with mozzarella cheese, olives, pasta, and vegetables in a homemade dressing.
This is a meatless version of my Italian Antipasto Pasta Salad, but just as creamy and filling. If you want to add meat to this classic Italian pasta salad, try salami, prosciutto, or pepperoni.
This recipe takes a total time of 10 minutes to throw together, but I recommend refrigerating for at least an hour before serving. The refrigeration time gives the flavors a chance to come together, plus this dish is best served cold.
HOW LONG IS PASTA SALAD GOOD FOR?
Pasta salad will last for 3-4 days, when tightly sealed in an airtight container in the refrigerator. I don’t recommend freezing this recipe because the mayonnaise in the dressing may separate and not defrost well and the vegetables will not hold up well to the freezing and thawing.
EASY PASTA SALAD
Yield: 8 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American-Italian
Author: Sabrina
Easy Pasta Salad made with mozzarella, black olives, cherry tomatoes, and bell peppers in a creamy Italian dressing is the PERFECT side dish to bring to a potluck or picnic!
INGREDIENTS
1 pound tricolor rotini pasta
8 ounces mozzarella cheese diced
2 cups cherry tomatoes halved
8 ounces pitted black olives medium
1 green bell pepper chopped
1 red bell pepper chopped
2 cups Italian Dressing see recipe above or use bottled
INSTRUCTIONS
In a large bowl add the pasta, mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, black olives, green bell pepper and dressing and toss gently, then refrigerate at least an hour before serving.
