Cold Pasta Salad
This recipe features a delicious Cold Pasta Salad with broccoli, peppers, zesty Italian dressing, and Parmesan cheese. It’s easy to make, and the flavors only improve as it sits, making it perfect for making ahead.
If you’re looking for more potluck favorites, I recommend trying out my delicious broccoli salad with bacon, seven layer salad, and Cowboy caviar! To complete your menu, consider adding sloppy joes, beer brats, or grilled tri tip.
This Cold Pasta Salad recipe is incredibly easy to make and makes for a delicious side dish that can be enjoyed all year round. Both children and adults love it and it’s perfect for taking on the go. Plus, it’s a great make-ahead option as the flavor actually gets better as it chills.
How do you make a simple pasta salad?
I like to select a few vegetables that taste great together and bring a vibrant touch to the dish. My favorites include broccoli, bell peppers, and red onion.
I recommend quickly boiling the broccoli and then cooling it in icy water. This technique helps retain the vibrant color and reduce any slight bitterness. But if you’re in a hurry, you can skip this step.
How do you make a dressing for pasta salad?
My friends and family always prefer using bottled salad dressing for this salad. Any zesty Italian dressing adds a delicious flavor!
If you like making your own dressing, my homemade Italian dressing is delicious. Additionally, the simple Red Wine Vinaigrette is also a great option.
You can enjoy this Pasta Salad without worrying about spoilage since it doesn’t contain mayonnaise.The assortment of vegetables also adds vibrant colors, satisfying crunch, and nutritional value.
How do you make a cold spaghetti salad?
If you’re looking to explore another cold pasta salad option using spaghetti noodles, my California Pasta Salad is a well-loved and highly recommended choice!
Print
Cold pasta recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This recipe features a delicious Cold Pasta Salad with broccoli, peppers, zesty Italian dressing, and Parmesan cheese. It’s easy to make, and the flavors only improve as it sits, making it perfect for making ahead.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces Rotini or other small pasta
- 2 cups bite-sized broccoli florets blanched if desired (see notes)
- 1 red bell pepper chopped
- 1 yellow bell pepper chopped
- 1/2 red onion peeled and cut into strips
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 8 ounces Homemade Italian dressing or store bought
Instructions
- First of all,In a large pot, bring 4 quarts of water to a boil.Now add 1 tablespoon of salt to the boiling water.
- Carefully add the pasta to the pot and cook for about 8 minutes, or until it is al dente.Once cooked, drain the pasta well.Rinse the pasta with cold water to stop the cooking process.Drain the pasta again before serving.
- In a large bowl, combine broccoli florets, bell peppers, and onion.Once the pasta is cooked and drained, add it to the bowl with the vegetables.
- Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the pasta and vegetables.Drizzle salad dressing over the mixture.Toss everything together until the ingredients are evenly combined.
- Transfer the salad to a serving bowl.After this,Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap.Place the bowl in the refrigerator.Allow the salad to chill for at least 2 hours.
- Give the salad a gentle stir to combine all the ingredients. If needed, add additional salad dressing to prevent the pasta from becoming dry.Mix well to ensure the dressing coats all the components evenly.
Notes
To blanch broccoli:Fill a pot with 2 quarts of water and add 1 tablespoon of salt.Bring the water to a boil.Add the broccoli to the boiling water and cook for approximately 3 to 4 minutes, or until the broccoli is tender and has turned bright green.Drain the broccoli.Immediately transfer the cooked broccoli to a bowl filled with ice water. This will halt the cooking process and help the broccoli retain its vibrant color and crispness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12 servings
- Calories: 224 kcal
- Sugar: 2.5g
- Sodium: 157.1mg
- Saturated Fat: 3.1g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 7.2mg