How to craft the perfect easy pasta salad that everyone will love
Published: November 8, 2024 by Nicole Dieckman
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The Unwritten Etiquette of Dinner Guests: Bring a Dish!
It’s a well-acknowledged etiquette among dinner guests that arriving empty-handed is simply not done. While a thoughtful host gift or a bottle of wine is a classic choice, contributing a food dish—especially among friends or family—can be a thoughtful way to ease the host’s workload. If you’re considering bringing a dish, don’t hesitate to reach out to the host about preparing a pasta salad.
This easy pasta salad is not only simple to prepare but also versatile in flavors, making it a crowd favorite every time. It can effortlessly adapt to various dietary preferences: omit the meat for a vegetarian option, or leave out both the cheese and meat for a vegan version. Plus, it offers the convenience of being prepared ahead of time—whether it’s a day in advance, the morning of the event, or right before you head out.
A Note About Pasta
For this recipe, I recommend using two boxes of penne pasta to ensure there’s plenty for everyone. Leftovers are a bonus, as this dish stores well in the refrigerator. However, feel free to substitute any chunky pasta shape you have on hand—such as elbow or curly pasta—without compromising the deliciousness. I often enjoy using multi-colored curly pasta for added flair.
A Note About Dressing
For optimal flavor, I highly recommend Olive Garden Italian Dressing for this recipe. It’s no surprise that Olive Garden is celebrated for its salad; the dressing is simply outstanding. If you prefer to use a different Italian dressing—perhaps one already in your pantry—rest assured the pasta salad will still taste great, though you might want to enhance it with additional seasoning such as Italian herbs, salt, and pepper.
A Note About Bell Peppers
When selecting bell peppers, I suggest opting for a colorful trio pack if available. While any bell pepper variety will work, the vibrant combination of red, orange, and green adds a delightful visual appeal to the dish, perfect for entertaining.
Ingredients
- 2 boxes of penne pasta
- Salt and extra virgin olive oil (for the pasta water)
- Olive Garden Italian Dressing
- Assorted bell peppers (preferably a mix of colors)
- ½ red onion
- Cherry tomatoes
- Sliced black olives
- A variety pack of salami (optional)
- Small mozzarella balls
- Salt and pepper
- Grated Parmesan cheese (for serving)
Easy Pasta Salad Directions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil, adding a thin layer of extra virgin olive oil to prevent boiling over and sticking. Cook the pasta until al dente, about 11-12 minutes.
- Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water.
- While the pasta is cooking, wash and slice the bell peppers, dice the onion, and halve the cherry tomatoes.
- Cut the salami into quarters (omit the meat for a vegetarian option). A trio pack of salami works well, but pepperoni is also a tasty alternative.
- In a large salad bowl, combine the pasta, vegetables, mozzarella balls, sliced olives, and salami.
- Toss everything with the Olive Garden Italian Dressing.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Reserve the grated Parmesan for serving.
This pasta salad is sure to be a hit at your next gathering—enjoy the compliments! And here’s a great salad bowl if you attend many potlucks, it’s loved by many because the serving utensils fit right inside the lid!
