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creamy comforting mac and cheese

Vibrant Garden Pasta Salad: Mediterranean Feast in Every Bite

Transform simple ingredients into a vibrant, flavor-packed Mediterranean pasta salad perfect for summer gatherings.
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Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 12 ounces veggie rotini pasta Barilla brand
  • 10 ounces grape tomatoes halved
  • 2 each red bell peppers chopped
  • 2 each green bell peppers chopped
  • 2 each yellow onions chopped
  • 5 each jalapeño peppers chopped
  • 6 ounces black olives drained
  • 2 each cucumbers chopped
  • 25-35 slices pepperoni sliced in half
  • 12 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese torn into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1-2 cups Italian dressing Newman’s Own
  • to taste salt and pepper

Equipment

  • Large pot of water
  • mixing bowl

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add a generous pinch of salt.
  2. Cook 12 ounces of Barilla veggie rotini pasta for 7-8 minutes until perfectly al dente.
  3. Drain the pasta and immediately transfer it to a large mixing bowl.
  4. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil over the pasta and mix well to prevent sticking.
  5. Refrigerate the pasta to cool down quickly.
  6. While the pasta cools, slice grape tomatoes in half and season with salt and pepper.
  7. Chop all bell peppers, onions, jalapeños, and cucumbers.
  8. Drain black olives and slice pepperoni in half for extra flavor.
  9. Once pasta is cool, tear fresh mozzarella into bite-sized pieces and mix everything together.
  10. Pour in 1 cup of Newman’s Own Italian dressing and season with salt and pepper gradually.
  11. For extra flavor, chill overnight and add another cup of dressing before serving.

Notes

For best flavor, chill overnight and add extra dressing before serving.