Italian Pasta Palad

Indulge in the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean with this easy and refreshing pasta salad. Perfect for a quick lunch, a potluck, or a side dish at a summer barbecue, this salad combines fresh vegetables, creamy mozzarella, and a zesty Italian dressing. Simple to make and bursting with delicious flavors, it's a surefire crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

🍝 1 pound of cooked pasta (your choice)
🍅 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
🥒 1 cup cucumbers, sliced
🌶️ 1 bell pepper (any color), diced
🧅 1/2 cup red onions, thinly sliced
🍈 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
🧀 1 cup mozzarella cheese pearls
🥗 3/4 cup Italian dressing (your favorite brand)

Instructions

1- Prepare the Vegetables:

Wash and prepare all your vegetables.
Halve the cherry tomatoes, slice the cucumbers, dice the bell pepper, and thinly slice the red onions.
Drain and slice the black olives.

2- Cook the Pasta:

Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente.
Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse it thoroughly under cold water to stop the cooking process and remove excess starch. This will keep the pasta from sticking together.

3- Mix Ingredients:

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, bell pepper, red onions, black olives, and mozzarella cheese pearls.

4- Dress the Salad:

Drizzle the Italian dressing over the salad ingredients.
Start with half of the dressing and toss everything together.
Add more dressing as needed, ensuring the ingredients are lightly and evenly coated.

5- Chill and Serve:

Cover the bowl and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 1 hour before serving.
This allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
Serve cold and enjoy!

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories per Serving: Approximately 350
Proteins: 12g
Fats: 15g
Carbohydrates: 45g
Equipment: Large mixing bowl, knife, cutting board, colander, large spoon for mixing