A quick, easy and delicious side dish!
The beautiful colors of the pasta salad make you think of Summer filled with family gatherings, potlucks and grilling! My family loves this pasta salad because it's light and goes well with just about anything! This recipe came to me from a friend I worked with back in the early 90's. I started making it for my family immediately and over the years I have made different variations. It is the perfect pasta salad for you to add your favorite fresh vegetables!
How to Make Tri Color Pasta Salad
This recipe is so easy you are going to want to make it soon! First cook and drain the pasta and run cold water over it and let it drain. Place cooked pasta in a large bowl and add one cup of your favorite Italian Dressing (I typically use Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing). The pasta will absorb the dressing and give it amazing flavor.
Clean your favorite fresh vegetables and cut in to bite size pieces. Add to the bowl of pasta along with the cheese and black olives (see other variations below). Add 1 cup of Italian Dressing, salt and pepper and mix well. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.
Recipe Variations
The pasta salad will get more flavorful as it sits in the refrigerator. You can put your own spin on the variations of this Tri Color Pasta Salad recipe.
Pasta: I love the tri color rotini but other great choices are bow ties, macaroni or shells.
Meat: Add mini pepperoni, ham, or salami - a great combination with the Italian dressing.
Vegetables: Add your favorites or what you have on hand like seedless cucumbers, red onions, thawed corn, and green onion. All are good in this pasta salad.
Cheese: cubbed cheddar cheese, cubbed Colby Jack, or mini mozzarella cheese balls all work well.
I hope this pasta salad will be a family favorite for you! Give this Forkin' Good Recipe a try!
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