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Home ยป Italian ยป Italian Pasta Salad

Published: Jun 8, 2013 ยท Modified: Sep 9, 2019 by Lisa Johnson

Italian Pasta Salad

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My favorite Italian Pasta Salad! cookingwithcurls.com

There’s something you should know about me…I love creamy! Creamy dressings, sauces, and desserts. I can’t explain it, I was just born this way. So this Italian Pasta Salad is my favorite side dish!ย I have made variations of this salad since high school. Of course back then, I was using a box!

My favorite Italian Pasta Salad! cookingwithcurls.com

Yes folks, a box. Does anyone remember Suddenly Salad? My sister-in law still teases me about the first time I was at their house and they were making dinner. Someone asked if I wanted to start the potato salad…..”Sure, where’s the box?” was my response. You need to remember, my mother is not big on cooking.

I think I have made up for it now, don’t you? Look at me all grown up and publishing a blog about cooking of all things! I’m sure my mother is still mortified. I was supposed to grow up to be a doctor or the president, not a stay at home mom living in Iowa! Funny how things turn out ๐Ÿ˜‰

I didn’t really have a recipe when I made this salad last week. I usually just throw stuff together in a bowl until it looks right….the normal way we all do it! So this is 1/2 cup mayonnaise and 1/2 cup Italian dressing, very creamy, not enough flavor.

How to make Italian Pasta Salad:

So tonight I went with 1 cup dressing and 1/2 cup of mayonnaise, and it was perfect…..

A big bowl of Italian Pasta Salad! cookingwithcurls.com

Mix dressing and mayonnaise together in a small bowl. Set aside.

Place cooked, drained noodles into a large bowl.

Add the zucchini, carrots, tomatoes, green onions, basil and olives.ย (Add mozzarella pearls if using).

Pour dressing mixture over noodles and vegetables.

Toss to thoroughly combine.

Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Creamy Italian Pasta Salad loaded with Italian flavors and vegetables is the perfect side dish! cookingwithcurls.com

It’s funny how you don’t realize how much you use, until you have to stop and measure! This salad is also delicious with mozzarella cheese pearls and diced salami ๐Ÿ™‚

More delicious pasta salad recipes:

Healthy Italian Pasta Salad

Mediterranean Pasta Salad

Antipasto Salad

Hawaiian Potato Salad – this one has potatoes and pasta

Enjoy!!

My favorite Italian Pasta Salad! cookingwithcurls.com

Italian Pasta Salad

Creamy Italian Pasta Salad loaded with Italian flavors and vegetables is the perfect side dish!
0 from 0 votes
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Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: pasta, mayonnaise, italian, recipe, zucchini, tomatoes, olives, basil, dressing
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 27 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Calories: 429kcal
Author: Lisa Johnson

Ingredients

Dressing

  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 cup Italian dressing I used Newman's Own Oil & Vinegar
  • 1 pound pasta cooked, drained - I used Barilla Cellentaini
  • 1 medium zucchini sliced thin, cut into half circles
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup sliced olives
  • 3 green onions chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves chopped
  • sea salt & fresh ground pepper to taste
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese pearls Optional

Instructions

  • Mix dressing and mayonnaise together in a small bowl. Set aside.
  • Place cooked, drained noodles into a large bowl.
  • Add zucchini, carrots, tomatoes, green onions, basil and olives. (Add mozzarella pearls if using).
  • Pour dressing mixture over noodles and vegetables.
  • Stir to thoroughly combine.
  • Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 429kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 474mg | Potassium: 319mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 2935IU | Vitamin C: 10.6mg | Calcium: 78mg | Iron: 1.2mg
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Carrie @ Frugal Foodie Mama says

    June 09, 2013 at 7:32 am

    Lisa, this looks so delicious… and easy too! ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  2. Katie Clark says

    June 09, 2013 at 1:40 pm

    I love anything creamy as well. Unfortunately, since discovering my lactose intolerance, I have to improvise a lot, but luckily there’s pretty much a worthy substitute for evertyhing ๐Ÿ™‚ This salad looks fabulous.

    Reply
  3. Tanya Schroeder says

    June 09, 2013 at 6:01 pm

    I have a weakness for creamy stuff too! I try to be good, but it’s so irresistible!

    Reply
  4. Claire @ A Little Claireification says

    June 10, 2013 at 2:32 am

    Yummmy!! Looks amazing! And you are so funny posting about “the green light” – I knew exactly what you were talking about when I read the title! All I can say is thisโ€ฆ be thankful that you only have 109 posts to go back and deal with. LOL I have quite a few to fix as well so just take them one at a time, sister!
    Glad you are a SAHM in Iowa as opposed to being “The President”, btw, so we get to experience all of your awesome creations in the kitchen!! So much more fun!
    xoxo

    Reply
  5. Alyssa says

    June 16, 2013 at 7:56 pm

    I do a similar recipe but I use Italian dressing instead.

    Reply
  6. Jenn @ TheRollinsHouse says

    June 17, 2013 at 9:58 pm

    I love pasta salad! Can’t wait to try yours ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  7. Michelle says

    June 18, 2013 at 2:35 pm

    I remember suddenly salad! I am also a nut for creamy foods.

    Reply
  8. Heather Who Needs a Cape? says

    June 19, 2013 at 8:02 am

    Pasta salad is one of my favorite meals in the summer! Thanks for the new version ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Glad you linked up on Super Sunday – hope you can come back next week!

    Reply
  9. Lynn H @ Turnips 2 Tangerines says

    June 20, 2013 at 6:55 am

    Pasta Salad is the perfect summertime food~ I like to add some parmesan cheese to my dressing also:) Lynn @ Turnips 2 Tangerines

    Reply
  10. Julie says

    June 22, 2013 at 5:54 pm

    Definitely going to have to try, I love pasta salads in the summer!

    Thanks!
    Julie

    Reply
  11. Anyonita says

    June 24, 2013 at 3:06 am

    What a lovely and fresh salad! ๐Ÿ™‚ I am making this for my next barbecue! Thank you so much for linking up with me this week at Tasty Tuesdays! Iโ€™ve pinned this & shared it with my followers! Please be sure to stop back by the party and check out some of the other links!

    Reply
  12. Diane Balch says

    June 24, 2013 at 2:46 pm

    Total flashback I remember one of my aunts making a similar salad. Thanks so much for sharing it with us on foodie friday.

    Reply
  13. Kelly says

    June 24, 2013 at 6:50 pm

    Those noodles look very inviting ๐Ÿ™‚ Thanks so much for sharing this at my Happy Monday Show & Share @ HappyWifey.net!

    Reply
  14. Judy says

    June 25, 2013 at 3:13 am

    Oh my, now, I am craving.
    Judy

    Reply
  15. Adelina Priddis says

    June 27, 2013 at 7:56 am

    I could use the green SEO light, but I’m not on wp ๐Ÿ™
    Your pasta salad is screaming for me to eat it. Anything creamy is going to be good.

    Reply
  16. Amber @ Dessert Now, Dinner Later! says

    June 28, 2013 at 7:38 am

    I love that this is creamy! Thanks for sharing at Sweet & Savory Saturdays #18!

    ~Amber @ Dessert Now, Dinner Later!

    Reply
  17. Jennifer M. says

    July 19, 2013 at 6:24 am

    I have been making cold salads since this heat wave hit, it is all I have an appetite for! Your Italian Pasta Salad looks like it might be my dinner tonight! I am sharing this today!

    Reply
  18. Lois Christensen says

    July 19, 2013 at 7:31 am

    This looks delicious! I use the same dressing for my pasta salad…mayo with Ken’s Ceasar Dressing. AND yes, the mayo makes the difference! Sharing with my Walking on Sunshine FB page later today. Thank you for linking up with Foodie Friends Friday!

    Reply
  19. Michelle says

    July 21, 2013 at 2:21 pm

    This looks delicious. I love pasta salad. I chose it for my Foodie Friends Friday host favorite this week, so it will be featured on Daily Dish Magazine Monday. Thanks so much for sharing!

    Reply
  20. Marlys @Thisand That says

    September 01, 2013 at 4:04 am

    I love Pasta and this looks great. Thanks for sharing this with Foodie Friends Friday. Just wanted to let you know that I am using this recipe in a Labor Day post that I wrote for the Daily Dish Magazine.

    Reply

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Hi, I'm Lisa - Welcome to my kitchen! I have a passion for good food and love sharing my creations with friends, family and everyone that loves a homecooked meal. This is where I share my favorite recipes with step-by-step instructions as well as tips and tricks to help you make these delicious recipes in your home.

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