A colorful, creamy and delicious pasta salad packed with tri-color rotini, juicy tomatoes, savory meats, cheese, and crunchy vegetables. It’s perfect for BBQs, potlucks, picnics, or an easy family side dish.
⏱️ Recipe Details
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Chill Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 8🛒
Ingredients
For the Salad
12 oz tri-color rotini pasta
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
½ cup sliced pepperoni
½ cup diced salami
½ cup diced ham
1 cup cubed mozzarella or cheddar cheese
½ red onion, finely diced
½ red bell pepper, diced
½ cup sliced black olives
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
For the Dressing
¾ cup Italian dressing
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon black pepper👩🍳
Instructions
Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rotini according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water. Let it cool completely.
Prepare the ingredients: While the pasta cools, chop the tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, meats, and cheese.
Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the Italian dressing, mayonnaise, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and black pepper.
Combine: Add the cooled pasta, vegetables, meats, cheese, and olives to a large bowl.
Dress the salad: Pour the dressing over everything and gently toss until evenly coated.
Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to blend.
Serve: Give the salad a quick toss before serving. Add a little extra Italian dressing if it seems dry.
Tips
Don’t overcook the pasta; al dente pasta holds up better in a cold salad.
For the best flavor, let the salad chill for at least 30 minutes.
You can add cucumber, banana peppers, or artichoke hearts for extra crunch and flavor.
If making it ahead, reserve a little dressing and toss it in just before serving.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Toss with a little extra dressing before serving if needed.