Rotini Pasta Salad (Corkscrew Pasta, Italian Dressing, Veggies)

Rotini Pasta Salad is a vibrant, refreshing, and crowd-pleasing dish that’s perfect for picnics, potlucks, summer barbecues, or quick weekday meals. Made with corkscrew pasta, crisp vegetables, and zesty Italian dressing, this pasta salad is not only easy to prepare but also packed with flavor and texture. The spiral shape of rotini pasta is ideal for holding onto dressing and seasonings, ensuring every bite is deliciously coated.

This cold pasta salad recipe is incredibly versatile and customizable. You can enjoy it as a light main dish or serve it as a flavorful side alongside grilled chicken, steak, or seafood. The combination of fresh vegetables like cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, and red onions provides a satisfying crunch, while Italian dressing adds a tangy, herb-infused kick that ties everything together beautifully.

One of the best things about rotini pasta salad is how well it fits into busy lifestyles. It can be prepared ahead of time, stored in the refrigerator, and served chilled when needed. In fact, it often tastes even better after a few hours as the flavors have time to blend. This makes it a go-to recipe for meal prep, parties, and family gatherings.

From a nutritional perspective, this pasta salad offers a balance of carbohydrates, vegetables, and healthy fats. You can easily enhance its nutritional value by using whole-wheat rotini, adding protein like grilled chicken, chickpeas, or mozzarella balls, or tossing in leafy greens such as spinach or arugula.

If you’re searching for an easy pasta salad recipe, a classic Italian pasta salad, or a cold rotini pasta salad that everyone will love, this recipe checks all the boxes. It’s colorful, flavorful, and endlessly adaptable—making it a staple in any home cook’s recipe collection.

Ingredients

• 12 oz rotini pasta (corkscrew pasta)
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup cucumber, diced
• 1/2 cup red bell pepper, chopped
• 1/2 cup green bell pepper, chopped
• 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
• 3/4 cup Italian dressing (store-bought or homemade)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Optional add-ins: mozzarella pearls, feta cheese, grilled chicken, salami slices, or fresh basil

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
2. Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it completely.
3. While the pasta cools, prepare the vegetables by washing, chopping, and slicing them as listed.
4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled rotini pasta with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, red onion, and black olives.
5. Pour the Italian dressing over the pasta and vegetables.
6. Sprinkle in salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
7. Toss everything gently until the pasta salad is evenly coated with dressing and seasonings.
8. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
9. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving for best flavor.
10. Serve chilled and enjoy!