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Olive Garden Style Pasta Salad

Olive Garden Style Pasta Salad: Colorful, Creamy Delight

Olive Garden Style Pasta Salad is a vibrant, creamy delight perfect for gatherings and customization.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chilling Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Salad
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 300

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 12 ounces Rotini Pasta or any pasta shape of your choice
For the Dressing
  • 1 cup Mayonnaise Greek yogurt can be used for a lighter alternative
  • ½ cup Sour Cream can be reduced or omitted for a lighter salad
  • ½ cup Italian Dressing homemade vinaigrette can be substituted
For the Salad
  • 1 cup Shredded Parmesan Cheese or cubed mozzarella or feta
  • 1 cup Diced Cucumbers or bell pepper/celery for different textures
  • 1 cup Halved Cherry Tomatoes grape tomatoes or diced regular tomatoes also work
  • ½ cup Diced Red Onion can be substituted with green onions
  • ½ cup Sliced Black Olives or omit for a less salty taste
  • 1 cup Diced Red Bell Pepper or other bell pepper colors
  • ¼ cup Chopped Fresh Parsley or basil/cilantro for variety
  • to taste Salt and Pepper to enhance overall flavor

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Colander
  • mixing bowl

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Boil a large pot of salted water. Add 12 ounces of rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions for about 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water for 30 seconds.
  2. In a mixing bowl, blend together 1 cup of mayonnaise, ½ cup of sour cream, and ½ cup of Italian dressing until smooth.
  3. Fold the cooled rotini pasta into the dressing mixture. Then add in the shredded Parmesan cheese, diced cucumbers, halved cherry tomatoes, diced red onion, sliced black olives, diced red bell pepper, and chopped fresh parsley. Stir carefully.
  4. Season the salad with salt and pepper, then fold gently to incorporate the seasoning.
  5. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld.
  6. Stir the salad gently before serving and dish out into bowls or plates.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 300kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 6gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 500mgPotassium: 200mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 100mgIron: 1mg

Notes

This pasta salad is perfect for gatherings and can be customized to suit your preferences. For best results, chill before serving.

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