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Italian pasta salad in a large serving bowl with a spoon dipped in a serving plates nearby.
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4.95 from 90 votes

Italian Pasta Salad

This cold, creamy Italian pasta salad is meat-free and combines fresh veggies, mozzarella, and with a zesty, tangy Greek yogurt dressing.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Course: Pastas, Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 12 servings
Author: Yumna Jawad

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 pound tricolor rotini pasta
  • ¾ cup greek yogurt
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 garlic clove grated
  • 1 shallot minced
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon salt plus more for pasta water
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 6-ounce can sliced black olives
  • 1 green bell pepper diced
  • ½ English cucumber diced
  • 1 pint grape tomatoes halved
  • 8 ounces mini mozzarella cheese balls ciliegine size

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Season with salt and add pasta. Cook according to the package directions, then drain and set aside in a large bowl.
  • Meanwhile in a small bowl or jar, make the dressing by whisking Greek yogurt, olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, shallot, Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper until smooth and emulsified.
  • Add the dressing to the cooked pasta, then top with the olives, bell pepper, cucumbers, tomatoes and cheese. Toss until everything is combined and evenly coated in the dressing.
  • Chill before serving to allow the flavors to develop.

Video

Notes

Tips:
  1. Chill Before Serving: Allowing the salad to chill in the refrigerator for a couple of hours before serving helps the flavors to meld together.
  2. Pasta Cooking Tips: Make sure to cook the pasta al dente (firm to the bite).  Remember also to salt your pasta water—it adds flavor to the pasta.
  3. Add the dressing to the pasta while warm: It's best to dress the pasta while it's still warm because it absorbs more flavor this way. However, don't add the fresh veggies and cheese until the pasta has cooled down to avoid wilting or melting.

Nutrition

Calories: 270kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.001g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 341mg | Potassium: 251mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 441IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 111mg | Iron: 1mg

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