This Olive Garden Pasta Salad is the perfect blend of creamy, tangy, and fresh ingredients, making it the ultimate summer dish. The rotini pasta is complemented by vibrant vegetables like cucumbers, bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes, while the creamy Olive Garden dressing ties everything together for a satisfying bite.
Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ, bringing a dish to a potluck, or just enjoying a meal at home, this pasta salad is an easy yet impressive option. With its bright colors and fresh flavors, it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s sure to become a regular in your recipe rotation. Plus, it’s quick to prepare, making it a go-to choice for busy days when you want something tasty and nutritious.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
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1 box rotini pasta (16 oz)
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1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
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1 cup cucumbers, diced
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1 cup red bell pepper, diced
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1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
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1/2 cup black olives, sliced
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1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
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1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
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1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
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1/2 cup Olive Garden Italian Dressing
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Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
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Cook the rotini pasta according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.
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In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, red bell pepper, red onion, black olives, and feta cheese.
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Add in the fresh basil and Parmesan cheese.
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Pour the Olive Garden Italian Dressing over the salad and toss everything to coat evenly.
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Season with salt and pepper to taste.
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Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors marinate.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes
Kcal: 220 kcal | Servings: 4 servings
Olive Garden Pasta Salad: A Perfect Summer Dish
The Olive Garden Pasta Salad is one of those dishes that feels like a perfect balance of fresh and hearty flavors. Inspired by the popular salad served at Olive Garden restaurants, this dish has become a staple for gatherings, family dinners, and potlucks. With its combination of tender pasta, crisp vegetables, and creamy dressing, it offers a satisfying blend of textures and tastes. This vibrant pasta salad can be made in advance, is versatile, and is easy to customize to fit your dietary needs or preferences.
Why Olive Garden Pasta Salad is a Favorite
There’s something undeniably comforting about a well-made pasta salad. The Olive Garden Pasta Salad, in particular, stands out because of its creamy dressing and the fresh burst of flavors from the vegetables. The use of rotini pasta gives it a fun spiral shape that holds onto the dressing and makes each bite deliciously flavorful. The vegetables are chopped into bite-sized pieces, which gives the salad a refreshing crunch that pairs perfectly with the smoothness of the dressing.
The beauty of this salad lies in its simplicity. With just a few fresh ingredients, you can create a dish that tastes like it came straight from a restaurant kitchen. The creamy dressing, often reminiscent of a tangy Italian dressing, coats the pasta and veggies, while the feta and Parmesan cheeses add richness and a slight sharpness. This makes it an incredibly satisfying side dish that can stand on its own or complement grilled meats, sandwiches, or barbecued food.
Perfect for Any Occasion
The Olive Garden Pasta Salad is a crowd-pleaser, which is why it’s so popular at gatherings like family reunions, picnics, and summer barbecues. Its versatility makes it a great addition to any meal. Whether you’re serving it alongside grilled chicken, ribs, or seafood, or simply enjoying it as a vegetarian dish, this pasta salad is always a hit.
It also works wonderfully for meal prepping. You can make a big batch in advance and store it in the refrigerator for several days. The flavors continue to meld together as it sits, making it even more flavorful the next day. This makes it an ideal option for busy individuals or families who want to have a quick, nutritious meal ready to go.
Easy to Customize
Another fantastic aspect of the Olive Garden Pasta Salad is how easy it is to adjust the ingredients to suit your personal taste or dietary preferences. If you love extra crunch, consider adding more cucumbers or bell peppers. If you’re a fan of olives, you can add more black olives for an extra burst of briny goodness. For those who prefer a bit of protein in their salad, consider tossing in grilled chicken, bacon, or even chickpeas for a vegetarian option.
For a lighter version of the salad, you could swap out the creamy dressing for a lighter vinaigrette. This would still provide that tangy flavor while cutting down on the richness. Additionally, those who are dairy-free can substitute the feta and Parmesan cheeses with dairy-free alternatives or leave them out entirely.
If you’re following a gluten free diet, you can also easily swap the rotini pasta for gluten-free pasta. With so many options for customization, this pasta salad can be tailored to meet your dietary restrictions or personal preferences without compromising on flavor.
Nutritional Benefits
While this pasta salad is a delightful indulgence, it’s also packed with beneficial ingredients. Vegetables like cucumbers, tomatoes, and bell peppers are rich in vitamins and antioxidants. The addition of fresh basil provides a burst of herbal flavor, while the feta and Parmesan cheeses offer some protein and calcium. Olive oil, a key ingredient in the dressing, is full of healthy fats that promote heart health.
Rotini pasta, made from durum wheat, is a good source of carbohydrates, which provide energy to fuel your body. While the salad is generally considered to be on the richer side due to the creamy dressing, it still provides a balanced combination of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, making it a great option for a filling side dish or light meal.
Serving Tips
To get the most out of your Olive Garden Pasta Salad, consider serving it chilled or at room temperature. If you’re making it in advance, allow the salad to sit in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to an hour to allow the flavors to meld together. If you’ve prepared it earlier in the day, you can also give it a quick toss before serving to refresh the dressing and redistribute the flavors.
This salad works wonderfully as a side dish for any summer meal, especially barbecued or grilled meats. It pairs perfectly with dishes like grilled chicken, burgers, ribs, and even seafood. You can also enjoy it as a light lunch on its own, or serve it as a satisfying side for a larger spread.
The Perfect Addition to a Picnic or BBQ
One of the most appealing things about the Olive Garden Pasta Salad is that it can be made in advance, making it an excellent choice for a picnic or BBQ. It’s one of those dishes that gets better with time, as the flavors continue to develop the longer it sits. Because it’s served cold, it’s easy to pack and transport without worrying about it getting soggy or needing to be reheated.
Whether you’re planning a family gathering in the backyard or a day at the beach, this pasta salad is a hassle-free option that will feed a crowd without requiring a lot of effort. It’s also a great option for potlucks, as it holds up well and doesn’t need to be served hot.
Conclusion
The Olive Garden Pasta Salad is a timeless recipe that’s perfect for any occasion. With its fresh vegetables, creamy dressing, and savory cheeses, it’s a dish that satisfies the taste buds while offering plenty of customization options to suit everyone’s preferences. Whether you’re making it for a summer BBQ, a family dinner, or as a meal prep option, it’s sure to become a favorite in your recipe rotation.
Easy to make, full of flavor, and visually appealing, this pasta salad is the ultimate crowd-pleaser. So the next time you’re looking for a delicious and satisfying dish to serve, reach for this simple yet impressive Olive Garden Pasta Salad. You won’t be disappointed!