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italian pasta salad

(2 ratings)
CookingTexasStyle avatar
Blue Ribbon Recipe by
Laura Perovich
@CookingTexasStyle
San Antonio, TX

I just love this recipe. A hit at BBQ's on a hot summer day.

Blue Ribbon Recipe

A fresh and easy pasta salad loaded with crisp vegetables and a zesty Italian dressing. We love the flavor of tarragon and lemon pepper added to the salad. This side dish will be a great addition to any cookout. You could add pepperoni slices as Laura suggests. Salami or cheese would be delicious too.

— The Test Kitchen @kitchencrew
(2 ratings)
prep time 30 Min
cook time 10 Min
method Stove Top

Ingredients For italian pasta salad

  • 16 oz
    tri-color rotini (spiral vegetable pasta)
  • 1 md
    cucumber
  • 6 md
    Roma tomatoes
  • 1 bunch
    broccoli, bunch
  • 1 can
    sliced black olives
  • 1 bottle
    zesty Italian dressing
  • 2 tsp
    salad herbs or tarragon
  • 1 tsp
    lemon pepper

How To Make italian pasta salad

  • Draining cooked pasta.
    1
    Cook pasta with salt according to package instructions. DO NOT OVERCOOK. Once cooked, drain and run cold water over it. Place in a large salad bowl.
  • Cucumbers striped and cut into slices.
    2
    Stripe cucumbers with a fork. Place a fork on the end of the cucumber and slide it down the length. Then slice it into discs.
  • Tomatoes cut into pieces.
    3
    Cut Roma tomatoes into bite-size pieces. Roma tomatoes have the best flavor. If you can't find Roma tomatoes, then use cherry tomatoes and cut them in half.
  • Broccoli cut into florets.
    4
    Use only the florets of the broccoli and some of the stem. Pull apart if big clusters.
  • Broccoli, tomatoes, olives, cucumbers, and seasonings in bowl with the pasta.
    5
    Place, broccoli, tomatoes, olive (drained), and cucumbers in with the pasta. Dust the salad with Salad Herbs or Tarragon (not salad seasoning) and lemon pepper. These spices give the salad a distinct flavoring.
  • Adding dressing to the pasta salad.
    6
    Use 2/3 of the bottle of Italian dressing. That way the pasta and veggies absorb the flavor. Refrigerate. Just before serving add the remainder of the dressing and stir. Bon Appetit!
  • 7
    *TIP: You can also add small pepperoni slices (optional).
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
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