Vegetarian Italian Pasta Salad Recipe
A vibrant and refreshing Vegetarian Italian Pasta Salad combining al dente pasta, juicy cherry tomatoes, briny olives, creamy mozzarella, and zesty Italian dressing. Perfect for a quick lunch, picnic, or side dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 2 cups dry pasta (penne or rotini recommended)
Vegetables and Cheese
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup pitted olives, sliced
- 1 cup fresh mozzarella pearls or chopped mozzarella
Dressing
- 1/3 cup Italian dressing (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the dry pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water to stop cooking and cool it down.
- Toss Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced olives, and mozzarella cheese. Drizzle the Italian dressing over the salad and gently toss everything together until evenly coated.
- Chill and Serve: Optionally, refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
- You can substitute mozzarella with vegan cheese to make it vegan-friendly.
- Add fresh basil or parsley for extra herbal aroma.
- Use gluten-free pasta if needed to accommodate gluten sensitivity.
- For more protein, add cooked chickpeas or cannellini beans.
- Adjust the quantity of dressing based on your taste preference.
Keywords: vegetarian pasta salad, Italian pasta salad, cherry tomato pasta salad, mozzarella pasta salad, easy pasta salad
Find it online: https://dylangranv.com/vegetarian-italian-pasta-salad-recipe/
