Olive Garden Pasta Salad (Print-Friendly Format)

Pasta salad with crisp veggies, olives, and creamy Italian dressing. Great for lunch, dinner, or a flavorful side.

# Required Ingredients:

→ Main components

01 - 225 g rotini pasta or bowtie pasta
02 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 1 cup cucumber, sliced
04 - 0.5 cup red onion, thinly sliced
05 - 0.25 cup pepperoncini peppers, sliced
06 - 0.25 cup black olives, sliced
07 - 0.5 cup parmesan cheese, grated (or mozzarella for a creamier texture)
08 - 0.5 cup Italian dressing, store-bought or homemade
09 - 0.25 cup mayonnaise, optional for a creamier salad
10 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
11 - 0.25 teaspoon garlic powder
12 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
13 - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

# How to Make It:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, approximately 8–10 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking. Set aside.
02 - Chop cherry tomatoes, slice cucumber, thinly slice red onion, pepperoncini, and black olives. Place prepared vegetables in a large mixing bowl.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together Italian dressing, mayonnaise if using, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as required.
04 - Add cooled pasta to the mixing bowl with vegetables. Drizzle the dressing over ingredients and toss gently until thoroughly combined. Add grated parmesan cheese and toss again for even coating.
05 - Cover the bowl and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours, or overnight for best flavor. Before serving, toss again and garnish with freshly chopped parsley.

# Additional Information:

01 - For best flavor, allow the salad to chill for several hours or overnight so the ingredients can fully absorb the dressing.
02 - The salad can be prepared ahead and kept refrigerated for up to 4 days. Add extra dressing prior to serving if needed.
03 - Customize with additional vegetables such as diced bell peppers, artichoke hearts, or sweet corn.
04 - For a vegan alternative, select dairy-free cheese and vegan mayonnaise.
05 - To make gluten-free, use certified gluten-free pasta.

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