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Olive Garden Pasta Salad

Olive Garden Pasta Salad: A Fresh Twist for Every Bite

This Olive Garden Pasta Salad is a celebration of fresh vegetables and creamy goodness, perfect for summer picnics or light lunches.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chilling Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Salads
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 250

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 8 oz Rotini Pasta Perfect for holding creamy dressing.
For the Vegetables
  • 1 cup Red Onion Offers a sharp, tangy flavor.
  • 1.5 cup Cherry Tomatoes Sweet and juicy.
  • 1 cup Cucumber Adds a refreshing crunch.
  • 0.5 cup Black Olives Gives a briny kick.
  • 0.5 cup Green Olives Enhance flavor complexity.
  • 1 cup Bell Pepper Vibrant and crunchy.
For the Dairy
  • 1 cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese Adds creaminess.
  • 0.5 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese Rich and savory.
For the Dressing
  • 1 cup Italian Dressing Tangy foundation of flavor.
  • 0.5 cup Mayonnaise Provides creaminess.
  • 2 tbsp Red Wine Vinegar Brightens up the salad.
For Seasoning
  • 1 tsp Salt Essential for flavor.
  • 1 tsp Pepper Essential for flavor.

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Mixing bowl
  • Small bowl

Method
 

Cooking Steps
  1. Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente, usually around 8-10 minutes.
  2. In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the cooled rotini pasta with red onion, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, black olives, green olives, and bell pepper.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together the Italian dressing, mayonnaise, and red wine vinegar until smooth and creamy.
  4. Pour the prepared dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture, stirring gently to coat every ingredient thoroughly.
  5. Fold in the shredded mozzarella and grated parmesan cheese into the pasta salad, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 9gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 500mgPotassium: 300mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 15IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 8mg

Notes

Chilling the salad allows the flavors to meld beautifully, enhancing the overall taste. Serve it chilled for the best experience.

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