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Pasta Salad

This pasta salad is nice and colorful, easy to make, and great for summer picnics or parties. The recipe was given to me by a dear friend many years ago, and I've been making it ever since!
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 6 people

Equipment

  • 1 Large Stockpot
  • 1 Colander
  • 1 Chef's knife
  • 1 Whisk
  • 1 Large Mixing Bowl

Ingredients
  

Main

  • 1 pound tri-colored spiral pasta
  • 1 16 ounce bottle Italian-style salad dressing
  • 6 tablespoons salad seasoning mix
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes diced
  • 1 green bell pepper chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper diced
  • ½ yellow bell pepper chopped
  • 1 2.25 ounce can black olives, chopped

Instructions
 

  • Gather all ingredients. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook pasta in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 10 to 12 minutes; rinse under cold water and drain. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • Whisk Italian dressing and salad spice mix together until smooth. Combine pasta, tomatoes, bell peppers, and olives in a salad bowl. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • Pour dressing over salad and toss to coat. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • For the best flavor, refrigerate the pasta salad for 8 hours to overnight. Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
  • Enjoy! DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS

Notes

Ensure pasta is cooked al dente; overcooked pasta will turn mushy when dressed. Rinsing with cold water immediately after draining halts cooking and prevents sticking. Uniformly dice all vegetables for a consistent texture and improved visual appeal, ensuring each bite offers a balanced mix of flavors. For an elevated taste, consider making a homemade Italian dressing with fresh herbs and good quality olive oil. The overnight chilling is crucial; it allows the flavors to meld and the pasta to absorb the dressing, resulting in a more robust and harmonious salad. Consider adding grilled chicken or chickpeas for a more substantial meal.