Vibrant Italian Garden Pasta Salad
Brighten up your meal with this colorful Italian Garden Pasta Salad, a delightful and refreshing dish perfect for gatherings or a wholesome weeknight dinner. Combining al dente rotini noodles with fresh, crisp vegetables and a creamy buttermilk ranch dressing, this salad is not just a feast for the eyes but also a burst of flavors and textures. Ideal for sharing at picnics, barbecues, or as a side dish, this pasta salad is incredibly easy to prepare, making it a go-to recipe for any occasion. Let the flavors marinate for a delicious taste experience!
9
Servings
200
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
Rotini noodles
8 ounces (plain colored)
Carrot
1 cup (sliced)
Green bell pepper
1/4 cup (diced)
Broccoli florets
2 cups (fresh)
Black olives
1 ounce (pitted and sliced)
Cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup (halved)
Buttermilk dressing (ranch)
3/4 cup (prepared)
Instructions
1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rotini noodles and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked rotini noodles, sliced carrots, diced green bell pepper, broccoli florets, sliced black olives, and halved cherry tomatoes.
3
Drizzle the buttermilk ranch dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Toss everything together until well coated.
4
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and place it in the refrigerator.
5
Allow the pasta salad to marinate for at least one hour before serving to enhance the flavors.
Nutrition Information
11g
Fat
20g
Carbs
3g
Protein
2g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Vibrant Italian Garden Pasta Salad?
It is a colorful and refreshing dish that combines al dente rotini noodles with fresh vegetables and a creamy buttermilk ranch dressing.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe makes 9 servings.
What type of pasta is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 8 ounces of plain colored rotini noodles.
What is the main dressing for this pasta salad?
The dressing used is 3/4 cup of prepared buttermilk ranch dressing.
How many calories are in a single serving?
There are 200 calories per serving.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains 11g of fat.
How much protein is in each serving?
There are 3g of protein per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in a serving?
Each serving contains 20g of carbohydrates.
Does this pasta salad contain fiber?
Yes, there are 2g of fiber per serving.
How should the rotini noodles be cooked?
They should be cooked in a large pot of salted water according to package instructions until al dente.
Why do you rinse the pasta under cold water?
Rinsing the pasta under cold water stops the cooking process to ensure the noodles stay al dente.
How long should the salad marinate before serving?
The salad should be refrigerated and allowed to marinate for at least one hour to enhance the flavors.
What vegetables are included in this salad?
The salad includes carrots, green bell pepper, broccoli florets, black olives, and cherry tomatoes.
How much broccoli is needed for this recipe?
You will need 2 cups of fresh broccoli florets.
How should the carrots be prepared?
You should use 1 cup of sliced carrots.
What is the preparation for the green bell pepper?
The recipe requires 1/4 cup of diced green bell pepper.
How should the black olives be handled?
You should use 1 ounce of pitted and sliced black olives.
How should the cherry tomatoes be cut?
The cherry tomatoes should be halved.
Is this recipe suitable for a picnic or barbecue?
Yes, it is described as an ideal dish for sharing at picnics, barbecues, or as a side dish.
How many total ingredients are in this recipe?
There are a total of 7 ingredients.
Is this a quick meal to prepare?
Yes, it is tagged as a quick meal and is noted for being incredibly easy to prepare.
Can this be served as a wholesome weeknight dinner?
Yes, the description suggests it is perfect for both gatherings and wholesome weeknight dinners.
What are the primary tags for this recipe?
Tags include salad, pasta salad, italian recipe, vegetable salad, garden salad, party food, healthy recipe, and quick meal.
How much cherry tomatoes are required?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of halved cherry tomatoes.
How should the salad be stored during marination?
The bowl should be covered with plastic wrap or a lid and placed in the refrigerator.
What is the recommended preparation for the rotini?
The rotini should be plain colored and cooked to an al dente texture.
Can I use a different type of dressing?
While the recipe specifies buttermilk ranch, you could experiment with others, though ranch provides the intended creamy flavor profile.
Are the broccoli florets cooked or raw?
The recipe uses fresh broccoli florets which are tossed directly with the pasta and dressing.
Is there any added sugar in this recipe?
The nutritional information for sugar is not specified for this recipe.
How do you ensure the salad is well coated?
Drizzle the dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture and toss everything together until well coated.