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Home » 30 Minute Meals
4.8 from 8 reviews

Tri Color Italian Pasta Salad

20 minutes
basilceleryoreganotomato
By: Pamela Reed
Posted:12/29/20
Updated:5/31/21
Jump to Recipe

Easy recipe for the best Tri Color Italian Pasta Salad. This fresh tasting meal only takes 20 minutes to put together from start to finish.

tri color pasta salad with cheese, tomatoes and olives in white bowl

The Best Italian Pasta Salad

We absolutely love this Italian Pasta Salad. It’s perfect for quick weeknight meals, but also a favorite for Summer picnics in the park. Unlike some pasta salads that call for meat, this is vegetarian as we prefer the simplicity with just vegetables and pasta.

This pasta salad only takes 20 minutes worth of prep and then you chill it. Here’s a video I made to show you just how easy it is to make!

Which pasta is best for pasta salad?

You want to use a pasta shape that has lots of nooks and crannies to make sure the Italian dressing and herbs get into every little bit. Pasta like rotini, penne, fusilli, and farfalle are perfect for pasta salad.

tri color rotini being drained into white bowl

Can I make pasta salad the night before?

Absolutely! I actually think pasta salad tastes better when prepared the night before. Tip: right before serving it add a tablespoon (or 2) of salad dressing to freshen it up

How long does pasta salad last for?

Keep any leftover pasta salad in a covered container in the fridge. Leftovers will last 5 days, making perfect lunch and dinner meals!

How to Make Italian Pasta Salad

Prep: Cook pasta according to box. Drain and place in large serving bowl. Chop up celery and half tomatoes.

Mix: Add salad dressing, celery, tomatoes, olives, basil and oregano to the bowl and mix. Add shredded cheese and mix again.

And because I know some people don’t like olives, you can totally skip them if you want.

Chill and Serve: Cover bowl and chill in the refrigerator, for at least 1 hour. Serve and enjoy!

fork mixing pasta in white bowl with cherry tomatoes, olives and herbs

Does Tri Color pasta taste different?

No, tri color pasta does not taste any different than regular pasta. The pasta color is a fun alternative to the usual pasta, but the only difference is visually.

Help! My pasta salad tastes dry.

This is a pretty quick fix. You need to cook the pasta perfectly, not undercooked or overcooked. Make sure to follow the box directions and taste test before draining. If you undercook the pasta, Italian dressing and seasonings won’t stick to it.

Other Easy Pasta Recipes You’ll Like:

Creamy Pasta with Cauliflower
Rigatoni with Sausage
Cabbage and Noodles
Broccoli Pasta
Parsley Parmesan Pasta
Vegetarian Mexican Lasagna
White Sauce Lasagna

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Easy recipe for the best Tri Color Italian Pasta Salad.  This fresh tasting meal only takes 20 minutes to put together from start to finish.

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4.75 from 8 reviews

Tri Color Italian Pasta Salad

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Easy recipe for the best Tri Color Italian Pasta Salad. This meal is full of fresh vegetables and only takes 20 minutes to put together from start to finish.
By: Pamela Reed
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
Total Time 20 minutes minutes
serves 8

Ingredients

  • 12 oz box tri color rotini pasta
  • 1/2 cup Italian salad dressing
  • 3 stalks of celery finely chopped
  • 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes halved
  • 1/2 cup sliced black olives
  • 1 tablespoon dried basil
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella

Instructions

  • Prepare your pasta as directed on box. Drain and place pasta in a big serving bowl.
  • Add salad dressing, celery, tomatoes, olives, basil and oregano. Stir to fully combine. Add mozzarella cheese on top and mix again.
  • Cover bowl with lid or plastic wrap and place in refrigerator to chill (at least an hour, can be overnight).
  • Remove from refrigerator and stir to freshen up. If salad looks a little dry (especially if you let it sit overnight), add a tablespoon (or 2) of salad dressing and stir. Serve and enjoy!

Video:

Author: Pamela Reed
Course:Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine:American
Keyword:tri color italian pasta salad
Did you make this?I love seeing what you’ve made! Tag me on Instagram at @BrooklynFarmGirl and don’t forget to leave a comment & rating below.

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Hi! I'm Pamela, an artist Mom who shares family recipes. My farm is a 1,000 sq ft apartment in NYC. Let's make dinner together.

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