Italian Pasta Salad is the perfect addition to your backyard barbecue or summer picnic. It's an easy recipe that comes together in minutes. Made with fresh flavors and coated in Italian dressing for a yummy side dish.

On a hot summer day the last thing I want is to eat something hot. I love cold lunches or dinners like a BLT or turkey sliders and I usually like to pair them with a cold pasta salad on the side. This Italian Pasta Salad is one of my favorites. Made with delicious and simple ingredients that come together quickly for a pasta salad that is full of flavor. It's the perfect addition to your backyard barbecue or any summer party. Dye your noodles red and blue for a fun side dish ready for Memorial Day or 4th of July.

If you try this Italian Pasta Salad recipe please leave a comment below and let me know how you liked it! Be sure to follow me on Pinterest, Instagram or Facebook for more delicious and fun recipes.

Italian Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

• 16 oz pasta, cooked

• 1 green bell pepper, chopped

• 1/4 red onion, diced

• 10 oz cherry tomatoes, halved

• 3.8 oz can sliced black olives

• 6 oz pepperoni, cut in half or 4ths

• 8 oz block mozzarella cheese, cubed

• 16 oz bottle Italian dressing (or 1 package Italian dressing mix made according to package)

Directions:

• Cook pasta according to package directions and cool to room temperature.

• In a large bowl combine pasta, pepper, onion, tomatoes, olives, pepperoni and cheese. Add half the Italian dressing and stir to combine. Add more dressing as needed to desired level and taste.

• Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Notes:

• If making ahead I recommend only adding half the dressing. Refrigerate and right before serving stir in the other half of the dressing.

• To dye your pasta: add cooled, cooked pasta to a ziplock bag. Add in food coloring and seal. Shake pasta in bag until covered. Add more food coloring and repeat until desired color is reached.

For a full video tutorial click HERE.