Easy Italian Pasta Salad

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

Easy Italian Pasta Salad

Light and delicious pasta salad!

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

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

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!