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Easy Italian Pasta Salad

Categories Easy Recipes, Main Course, Salad, Side Dish

I grew up eating Italian pasta salads during the summer! They make me think of picnics and good times. This easy pasta salad is filled with crispy lettuce, bell peppers, cheese, tomatoes and Italian flavors! It makes the perfect light dinner or side dish and it’s super easy to make!

what you need to make easy Italian pasta salad:

serves 6 people when served as a main course, more when served as a side.

  • 1 pound pasta – Penne, bowtie, rotini – something easy to eat in one bite.
  • 1 cup tomatoes – chopped
  • 1/2 cup red bell pepper – diced
  • 3 green onions – thinly sliced
  • 4 cups romaine lettuce – chopped
  • 1 small can sliced olives
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheese – cheddar or cheddar mix
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup Italian croutons
  • 2/3 cup Italian salad dressing
  • Optional – 1/2 cup pepperoni

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions and the run under cold water and let it dry a little.
  2. Chop your tomatoes, bell peppers, green onions and romaine lettuce and add to a large bowl.
  3. Add sliced olives, shredded cheese, Parmesan, Italian croutons, pepperoni (if adding it) and pasta and add Italian dressing on top.
  4. Toss until everything is coated and enjoy!
Print Recipe
4.85 from 13 votes

Easy Italian Pasta Salad

Light and delicious pasta salad!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Dish, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Dinner, Italian, noodles, Salad, Side dish, vegetables
Keyword: 30 minute, Dinner, Easy Recipes, Italian, Kids Favorite, pasta, Salad, Tomatoes, Weekend Dinner, Weeknight Dinner
Servings: 6 people

Ingredients

  • 1 pound pasta Penne, bowtie, rotini - something easy to eat in one bite.
  • 1 cup tomatoes - chopped
  • 1/2 cup red bell pepper - diced
  • 3 green onions - thinly sliced
  • 4 cups romaine lettuce - chopped
  • 1 small can sliced olives
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheese - cheddar or cheddar mix
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup Italian croutons
  • 2/3 cup Italian salad dressing
  • 1/2 cup Optional - pepperoni

Instructions

  • Cook pasta according to package directions and the run under cold water and let it dry a little.
  • Chop your tomatoes, bell peppers, green onions and romaine lettuce and add to a large bowl.
  • Add sliced olives, shredded cheese, Parmesan, Italian croutons, pepperoni (if adding it) and pasta and add Italian dressing on top.
  • Toss until everything is coated and enjoy!