Simple Pasta Salad Recipe

I made this to take to a 4th of July cookout last weekend. It was a HIT! I altered the recipe by using part Good Seasons Italian and part Zesty Italian dressings; used 1/2 a chopped onion instead of green onions; used 3 tomatoes instead of 6; added 1/2 green pepper; 4 ounces of shredded paramesan cheese instead of grated; and added a small can of black olives. Even people who weren't found of pasta salad said it was delicious! Thanks for a great base recipe - the possibilities are endless as to what you could do with this!

This was a quick, very good, recipe. I made just a few tweaks. I used whole wheat rotini pasta and light Northern Italian (Ken's Steakhouse) salad dressing to make it a bit more healthy. I also cut down on the tomatoes (I used 4) and cucumber (I used 1). I didn't let it marinate overnight, however I did prepare it in the am, so it had a good 6 hours to set. Thanks for the great recipe!

Great recipe! I added Homel Smoked Ham (5 oz can), only a half of a cucumber, 1 diced red pepper, diced some pepper jack (I used about 1/2 of an 8 oz block) , 1/3 bottle of creamy Italian salad dressing, a 1/3 bottle of zesty Italian dressing, and tri-color rotini. We LOVE it!

love this site, but this recipe is not good, instead of bottled dressing, let alone 16oz, would recommend 6oz high quality olive oil , 2-3oz balsamic or red wine vinegar salt snd pepper to your taste, sub 1lb high quality feta(Mt. Vikos) for the cheese, add any and all fresh herbs, fresh italian parsley is essential here. enjoy.

I also added pepperoni, cubed sharp cheddar cheese and sliced black olives. Of course, this is an easy recipe for making it to your liking. I used Wish Bone Italian Robusto salad dressing because it has so much flavor. I bought extra Italian dressing to add later. The pasta always absorbs some of the dressing and I didn’t want the salad to dry out too much, Again to your liking as to how moist you prefer the salad.

Excellent side! Nice texture & flavor! Did differently: made our own fresh vs bottled dressing from creating an herb infused olive oil made 3 days prior (Delish alternative!). A few hours prior to dressing pasta- add remaining dressing ingredients & set aside. Added capers to pasta & more parm cheese. Meant to add some fresh parsley or basil before serving...next time!

I made this recipe for my son’s birthday party with around 50 people in attendance and this recipe was a massive hit. This was so easy. Following the recipe as written is delicious and worthy of the rating, but I also added cubed pepperjack cheese, chopped pepperonis, and half a red pepper.

This was a great pasta salad that I had made for our small family gathering for Labor Day and birthday celebration. I had only used 12oz of Italian dressing because that is all I had. I used the Olive Garden dressing and it was just enough for the salad. I thought 160z that was mentioned to use, was little too much. I used a red onion chopped rather than green onions. It gave it a good flavor to add to the salad. Next time I will add black olives or maybe green bell pepper would also be a good addition to the salad. This was an easy, simple and delicious pasta salad to make for any celebration!! Will definitely be making this again!!

I make this all the time. The only difference is, I add black olives and a little salad supreme. Delicious. I also use Ken's zesty Italien dressing.

Great pasta salad - perfect for any BBQ! Pasta salads are so easy and no matter what you add to them as long as the veggies are fresh, you use a good quality dressing, and it's chilled - it'll be delicious. So add what you like. This recipe is a great base. I used tri-colored pasta, a whole bunch of cherry tomatoes that I cut in half and added some black olives along with the rest of the ingredients. For the dressing I used Good Seasons Italian dressing mix (so it was kinda homemade, and kinda not). I also added some parmesan and romano cheeses. This is a definite keeper!

I've been making this for years. I use tri-colored rotini and grape tomatoes instead of chopped large tomatoes. I also added sliced black and green olives, yellow bell pepper and zuccini (cut small and bite size). Definately did not use a whole bottle of dressing - needed only about 2/3 cup of low-fat Italian dressing.

I don't think 2 cups of Italian salad dressing are required for this pasta salad. I might go with 1 cup or less.

This was so good. I followed the recipe and also added cubed salami, sliced black olives and cubed mozzarella. It’s so good. I also used the Olive Garden signature Italian dressing. I did not add any parm cheese because the dressing is almost line a Ceaser dressing so it didn’t need it. I will for sure be making this again.

My first time making this and I am so glad I did. I added chopped pepperoni, salami, marinated artichoke hearts and whole olives. The whole family loved it. This converted me from pasta salad I’d ok to I love it.

I loved it. I added bacon bits on my individual serving and that was good too. It’s a great recipe.

Way too much Parmesan for my family!!! I only put half of what the recipe calls for but I wouldn’t put any at all unless someone wanted it once it’s plated. But, that’s the only complaint.

Tried it for the first time — amazing.

I love the recipe. I used feta instead of parm. And an easy vinaigrette dressing. Also used a protein pasta (mostly so I don't feel as bad for eating so much of it!!)

Easy and so delicious.

I have to try cucumber 🥗🥒 this way to just don't put the parmesan in it and or Italian seasoning just cucumber tomatoes and onions and Italian dressing and the rotini noodles in it.. forreal yk what is good until you eat it