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featured tricolor pasta salad.

Tricolor Pasta Salad Recipe

Course: Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 12
Calories: 354kcal
Author: Becky Hardin
Simple, easy and delicious - this Tricolor Pasta Salad is perfect for BBQ's, parties or as a vibrant side! Bursting with veggies, cheese and colorful noodles this is as yummy as it is gorgeous!
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Ingredients

  • 16 ounces tricolor pasta 1 box, cooked according to instructions
  • 16 ounces Italian dressing 1 bottle
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes halved
  • 16 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese 1 container, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper diced
  • 1 green bell pepper diced
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Place all ingredients into a large bowl.
    16 ounces tricolor pasta, 16 ounces Italian dressing, 2 cups cherry tomatoes, 16 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, 1 red bell pepper, 1 green bell pepper, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
    tricolor pasta salad ingredients in a glass bowl.
  • Toss until well combined.
    tossed tricolor pasta salad in a glass bowl.
  • Tightly cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour.
  • Stir, serve cold, and enjoy.
    tricolor pasta salad in a white serving bowl.

Video

Notes

  • Dry? Pasta is starchy and easily absorbs liquids. While it's beneficial for the flavor to toss the pasta in the dressing while it's still warm, using ⅔ of the dressing for this is best, as if too much is absorbed, the pasta will end up dry. Toss the cooled pasta salad with the remaining ⅓ of the dressing just before serving.
  • Mushy? While it's important to cook the pasta a bit longer in order to keep it soft, cooking pasta for too long will lead to mushy pasta that falls apart when tossed with the dressing. Be sure to cook the pasta salad only 1 minute longer than the directions on the box.
  • Tasteless? Start seasoning early and often. Boil the pasta in generously salted water and taste as you go to make sure the pasta isn't being over or under seasoned.
Storage: Store pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Toss with a little extra dressing or olive oil before serving if it becomes dry.

Nutrition

Calories: 354kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 715mg | Potassium: 238mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 738IU | Vitamin C: 26mg | Calcium: 209mg | Iron: 1mg