Hearty Pasta Salad

This Hearty Pasta Salad is a loaded and hearty dish that is easy to prepare and cook, making it a perfect family favorite. Ready in just 25 minutes, it combines classic Italian flavors with fresh vegetables and pasta for a satisfying and flavorful meal or side dish.

Ingredients

• 12 ounces rotini pasta
  
  

• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  
  

• 1 cup cucumber, diced
  
  

• 1 cup red bell pepper, diced
  
  

• 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
  
  

• 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
  
  

• 1 cup mozzarella balls or cubed mozzarella
  
  

• 1/2 cup pepperoni slices (optional)
  
  

• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  
  

• 1/2 cup Italian dressing
  
  

• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  
  

• Salt and black pepper to taste
  
  

Directions

1. Cook the rotini pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
   
   

2. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, black olives, mozzarella, pepperoni (if using), and parsley.
   
   

3. Add the Italian dressing and Italian seasoning to the bowl. Toss everything together until well coated.
   
   

4. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Adjust seasoning if needed.
   
   

5. Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld. Serve chilled.
   
   

Nutritional Value (per serving in grams)

• Calories: 350 kcal
  
  

• Carbohydrates: 40 g
  
  

• Protein: 15 g
  
  

• Fat: 12 g
  
  

• Saturated Fat: 5 g
  
  

• Fiber: 3 g
  
  

• Sugar: 5 g
  
  

• Sodium: 600 mg