Overnight Pasta Salad (the BEST Pasta Salad EVER)
Overnight Pasta Salad (the BEST Pasta Salad EVER) is a vibrant, flavorful dish that combines cooked pasta with a medley of fresh vegetables and zesty Italian dressings. Perfect for potlucks, barbecues, or family gatherings, this make-ahead salad is not only visually appealing but also a breeze to prepare. With just 15 minutes of prep time, the flavors meld beautifully as it marinates overnight, ensuring every bite is packed with taste. Serve it as a side dish or toss in some protein for a satisfying main course—this recipe adapts to suit any occasion!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately 8
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb pasta (e.g., rotini or penne)
- 2 cups Italian dressing
- 1 packet dry Italian dressing mix
- 8 oz sun-dried tomatoes
- 1 can pitted black olives, drained
- 1 pint grape tomatoes, diced
- 1 English cucumber, diced
- 1 red onion, diced
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and add to a large mixing bowl.
- While the pasta is still warm, mix in the Italian dressing and dry seasoning until evenly coated.
- Chop the sun-dried tomatoes and stir them into the warm pasta mixture. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- When ready to serve, add black olives, grape tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion. Mix well and refrigerate if not serving immediately.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approximately 250g)
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 0mg