Tri Color Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing

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Bright and colorful, tri-color pasta salad with Italian dressing is perfect for any get-together. You’ll love how easy it is to make with fresh ingredients. By combining a mix of colorful pasta and vibrant veggies, you can create a healthy and tasty dish. The Italian dressing ties it all together with a zesty kick that keeps you coming back for more.

Whether you’re hosting a picnic or a casual dinner, this salad is a crowd-pleaser. It’s not just easy on the eyes but also delicious and satisfying. Get ready to enjoy a simple yet flavorful meal that everyone can appreciate.

Tool Requirements

To start making your tri-color pasta salad with Italian dressing, you’ll need a few basic kitchen tools. Having these ready will make the prep work smoother and quicker. It’s always better to gather your tools before you begin.

You’ll need a large pot for boiling the pasta. Make sure it’s big enough to cook the pasta evenly without sticking. A colander is essential for draining the cooked pasta. It helps get rid of excess water quickly.

A large mixing bowl is where you’ll toss all your ingredients together. This makes it easy to mix everything without spilling. A wooden spoon or large fork can be used for mixing. Both work great for combining pasta with other ingredients.

You might also want a cutting board and a sharp knife. These are important for chopping any fresh veggies or herbs you might be adding. If you’re including any bottled items like olives, a can opener might come in handy.

Having a storage container on hand is a good idea if you’re planning to store leftovers. This keeps your salad fresh and ready for later. Finally, a measuring cup can help you get the dressing amounts just right.

Gathering these tools will make preparing your pasta salad easy and fun.

Preparing The Ingredients

Start by grabbing a colorful blend of tri-color pasta. Make sure to cook it according to the package directions. While the pasta is cooking, you can prepare the veggies.

Slice cherry tomatoes in half. Next, chop some bell peppers—red, yellow, and green if you want to keep the color theme. Cucumbers are a fresh addition, so cut those into small chunks, too.

For some extra freshness, you might want to add basil leaves. Tear these leaves into small pieces instead of chopping them. This keeps them fragrant and flavorful.

Don’t forget a can of black olives. Simply drain them and slice them up. These will add a nice, salty bite to the salad.

Next, we need to make Italian dressing. To make Italian dressing, combine olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Add a touch of sweetness with sugar or agave.

Have these ingredients ready, and you’re all set to mix them into a delicious pasta salad. Enjoy the different colors and flavors in every bite!

Serving Suggestions

• You can serve your tri color pasta salad chilled or at room temperature. If you’re preparing it ahead of time, make sure to let it chill in the fridge for at least an hour to let the flavors mix well. When ready to serve, give it a good stir to refresh everything.
• This salad makes a great side dish for picnics, barbecues, or family dinners. It pairs well with grilled veggies or a light sandwich. You might try it alongside some crusty bread to soak up the dressing.
• For a bit of extra flavor, consider adding a sprinkle of nutritional yeast or a handful of fresh basil leaves on top. This adds a nice touch of color and taste. Enjoy the simple and vibrant flavors of this dish anytime you want a quick and tasty meal.

Storage Tips

• When you make your tri-color pasta salad with Italian dressing, you want it to stay fresh. Store the salad in an airtight container. This helps keep the flavors and ingredients from drying out. Make sure the lid is tight to prevent any spills.
• Refrigerate the salad to maintain its taste and safety. It’s best to keep it in the fridge for up to three days. Any longer and the pasta might become too soft or the dressing might lose its zing. Keeping it cold also stops it from spoiling.
• If you plan to enjoy your salad later, consider keeping the dressing separate until you’re ready to eat. This can help the pasta keep its firm texture and prevent it from getting too soggy. When you’re ready, just mix in the dressing and give it a good toss before serving.

Tricolor Pasta Salad With Italian Dressing

This easy-to-make tricolor pasta salad with Italian dressing is what you're looking for! Whether you're looking for an easy and healthy pasta salad recipe or a vegan pasta salad recipe, this has got you covered! This creamy salad is made with a cashew sauce which makes it really creamy.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Course Main Course, Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine Italian

Servings 4 servings

Calories 290 kcal

Ingredients

  

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Pasta & Veggies

• 2 cups of tri-color pasta
• 1 cup of cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 cup of red bell pepper
• 1/2 cup of yellow bell pepper
• 1/2 cup of green bell pepper
• 1 cup of cucumber
• 1/4 cup of fresh basil leaves
• 1 can of black olives 15 oz, drained and sliced

Italian Dressing

• 4 tablespoons of olive oil
• 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard
• 1 clove of garlic minced
• 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon of dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon of onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon of sugar or agave

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

 

• Grab a colorful blend of tri-color pasta and cook it according to the package directions.
• While the pasta is cooking, slice cherry tomatoes in half.
• Chop red, yellow, and green bell peppers into small pieces.
• Cut cucumbers into small chunks.
• Tear fresh basil leaves into small pieces.
• Drain a can of black olives and slice them.
• Combine olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, onion powder, salt, pepper, and sugar or agave to make the Italian dressing.
• Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and let it cool.
• In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, basil leaves, and sliced black olives.
• Add the Italian dressing and mix well to evenly coat all ingredients.
• Serve and enjoy the colorful and flavorful pasta salad.

Nutrition

Calories: 290kcal

Keyword Vegan

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Stefan K.

Stefan has been vegan since 2019 and has been regularly working on his strength since the beginning of 2023. He’s on a mission to help other vegans get stronger and have all of them achieve the quality of life they deserve.