Best Ever Summer Pasta Salad Recipe
This Best Ever Summer Pasta Salad is the perfect combination of bright, fresh veggies, savory meats, creamy cheese, and zippy Italian dressing, all tossed with tri-color rotini for a colorful twist. Whether you’re headed to a backyard cookout, prepping ahead for an easy weeknight dinner, or just craving something light and satisfying, this dish captures the sunny flavors of summer in every bite. Trust me: once you taste how all the ingredients mingle together, you’ll be making this Best Ever Summer Pasta Salad on repeat all season long!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Making the Best Ever Summer Pasta Salad is truly a breeze, especially when you’ve got the right ingredients on hand. Each component brings a special touch, whether it’s creaminess, crunch, or tang, and when tossed together they create a symphony of flavors, colors, and textures you can’t help but crave!
- Tri-Color Rotini Pasta: This pasta not only gives a festive color pop, but its spirals are perfect for trapping all that zesty dressing and flavor in every bite.
- English Cucumber: Crisp, cool, and seedless, English cucumber brings a refreshing crunch to the salad.
- Cherry Tomatoes: These juicy, bite-sized tomatoes add a burst of sweetness and gorgeous red hues.
- Red Onion: A little bit of sharpness and color helps balance the creamy, savory notes in the salad.
- Sliced Black Olives: Briny and earthy, black olives give depth and a fun Mediterranean flair.
- Colby Cheese: Mild and creamy, cubed Colby cheese adds richness you’ll love in every forkful.
- Salami: Salami offers savory goodness and a satisfyingly hearty texture that really rounds out the salad.
- Salad Supreme Seasoning: This seasoning blend injects extra flavor and a hint of kick to each bite.
- Olive Garden Signature Italian Dressing: Tangy, herby, and utterly delicious, this dressing soaks into the pasta and veggies for the ultimate summery taste experience.
How to Make Best Ever Summer Pasta Salad
Step 1: Cook and Cool the Pasta
Begin by cooking the tri-color rotini pasta according to the package directions until just al dente. This ensures your pasta will have a pleasant bite and won’t get mushy after absorbing the dressing. Once cooked, drain the pasta and spread it out on a baking sheet to cool completely. This quick cool-down step also helps prevent the pasta from sticking together and keeps the salad light and fresh.
Step 2: Chop the Veggies
While the pasta cools, grab your English cucumber and dice it into small cubes for refreshing crunch. Slice your cherry tomatoes in half so their juicy centers can mingle with the pasta and dressing. Finish by chopping the red onion into small, even pieces for a balanced bite in every forkful.
Step 3: Mix Everything Together
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled rotini, diced cucumber, halved tomatoes, chopped red onion, drained black olives, cubed Colby cheese, and sliced salami. Add in the salad supreme seasoning and pour the Olive Garden signature Italian dressing over top. This is where the magic happens! Toss everything gently yet thoroughly so that every ingredient gets coated with that tangy, herby dressing.
Step 4: Chill and Marinate
Now let your Best Ever Summer Pasta Salad rest! Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least one hour. This chilling time lets all the flavors meld beautifully — trust me, it’s worth the wait. The pasta gets a chance to absorb the dressing, and the veggies stay crisp but flavorful.
Step 5: Toss and Serve
Right before serving, give your pasta salad one more gentle toss to redistribute the dressing and ingredients. If you’re feeling fancy, top with some freshly chopped herbs or an extra sprinkle of cheese. Don’t forget to bring it to the picnic, potluck, or serve it straight from your fridge for a cool, satisfying meal!
How to Serve Best Ever Summer Pasta Salad
Garnishes
Fresh garnishes are the secret to elevating your Best Ever Summer Pasta Salad. A sprinkle of chopped parsley, basil, or even a few shavings of parmesan cheese brings extra color and flavor. If you love a little heat, try some freshly cracked black pepper or a dash of red pepper flakes. These little touches make the salad feel restaurant quality every time.
Side Dishes
This salad is a star at any summer gathering, but it pairs especially well with other picnic classics. Serve it alongside grilled chicken, burgers, or even seared salmon for a seriously satisfying meal. Fresh fruit, crusty bread, or a bright lemonade also make wonderful additions to the table when you’re enjoying this dish.
Creative Ways to Present
Think beyond the big salad bowl! For parties, portion the Best Ever Summer Pasta Salad into individual mason jars or colorful cups for easy grab-and-go servings. Layer it in a large glass trifle bowl to show off the vibrant stripes of pasta, veggies, and cheese. You can even fill lettuce cups or hollowed-out bell peppers for a fun, edible serving dish your guests will rave about.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with extra Best Ever Summer Pasta Salad, you’re in luck — it keeps beautifully. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. The flavors only get better as they marry together, though the veggies will stay freshest in the first couple of days.
Freezing
While you can technically freeze this pasta salad, the texture of the fresh veggies and cheese will suffer once thawed. If you absolutely must freeze, do so without the tomatoes or cucumbers, adding them in fresh after defrosting. The dressing can also separate, so plan to stir in a splash of extra before serving.
Reheating
The beauty of Best Ever Summer Pasta Salad is that it tastes best cold or at room temperature, no need to reheat! If it’s been refrigerated overnight, simply give it a gentle toss and let it sit out for about 10 minutes before serving to take the chill off and let the flavors shine.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Absolutely! Any short, sturdy pasta works well. Fusilli, penne, or bowtie pasta are great alternatives. Just avoid anything too delicate, which can become soggy with the dressing.
Is there a vegetarian alternative to salami?
Yes, simply leave out the salami or substitute with chickpeas, roasted red peppers, or additional cheese cubes for a protein boost that keeps the salad hearty and satisfying.
What can I use instead of Olive Garden Italian dressing?
If you can’t find that brand, use your favorite bottled Italian dressing or even a homemade version! As long as it’s zippy and herby, it’ll work beautifully in this recipe.
How far in advance can I make this salad?
You can make Best Ever Summer Pasta Salad up to a day ahead. Just wait to add any garnishes until just before serving to keep everything looking fresh and vibrant.
How do I keep the pasta from sticking together?
The key is to rinse the cooked pasta with cool water right after draining, then toss it with a splash of dressing before adding the rest of the ingredients. This keeps the pasta separate and each bite flavorful.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing like sharing dishes that bring everyone together, and this Best Ever Summer Pasta Salad has become my go-to for everything from picnics to everyday lunches. I hope you’ll give it a try and fall in love with all its fresh, colorful flavors just like I have — let’s make this summer delicious!
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Best Ever Summer Pasta Salad Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Best Ever Summer Pasta Salad is a colorful and flavorful dish perfect for any gathering or as a light meal. Tri-color rotini pasta is combined with crisp vegetables, savory salami, creamy cheese, and a zesty Italian dressing for a refreshing pasta salad that’s sure to impress.
Ingredients
Pasta:
- 16 ounces Tri-Color Rotini Pasta
Vegetables:
- 1 English cucumber
- 10 ounces cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 red onion
Add-Ins:
- 2.25 ounces sliced black olives, drained
- 8 ounces Colby cheese, cubed
- 6 ounces salami, sliced
Seasoning and Dressing:
- 1 tablespoon salad supreme seasoning
- 16 ounces Olive Garden signature Italian dressing
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and cool completely.
- Prepare Vegetables: Dice cucumber and onion, and slice tomatoes.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix pasta, vegetables, olives, cheese, salami, seasoning, and dressing.
- Toss: Gently toss until evenly coated.
- Chill: Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Serve: Toss again before serving. Garnish with herbs or cheese if desired.
Notes
- This salad can be customized with your favorite veggies or proteins.
- Adjust the seasoning and dressing according to your taste preferences.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: Summer Pasta Salad, Pasta Salad Recipe, Easy Pasta Salad
