Ready to whip up something tasty? My Kraft Zesty Italian Pasta Salad Recipe is just the thing!
This dish is perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a casual picnic or a family gathering.
Packed with colorful veggies and zesty Italian flavors, it’s a crowd-pleaser that never disappoints. Let’s dive into this refreshing and flavorful salad!
Kraft Zesty Italian Pasta Salad Recipe
Recipe Overview
- Time: 30 minutes
- Course: Salad
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Yield: 6 servings
- Calories Per Serving: 250
Ingredients
- 12 oz rotini pasta
- 1 cup Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup green bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, cubed
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves, chopped (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Cook The Pasta
First, let’s cook the pasta. Heat a big saucepan of salted water till it boils. When the pasta comes out of the packet, add the rotini and cook it until al dente.
To end the cooking process, drain the pasta and give it a quick rinse under cold water. This will also help cool the pasta for the salad.
Step 2: Prepare The Vegetables
While the pasta is cooking, let’s prep the veggies. Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper.
Finely chop the red onion and slice the black olives. Having all the veggies ready will make the assembly quick and easy.
Step 3: Mix The Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, red onion, black olives, and cubed mozzarella cheese.
Pour in the Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing and toss everything together until well coated. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 4: Add Cheese And Garnish
After adding the grated Parmesan cheese, toss the salad one last time. For an extra touch of flavor, you can add freshly chopped basil leaves on top.
The basil adds a fresh, aromatic note that complements the zesty dressing beautifully.
Tips For The Perfect Kraft Zesty Italian Pasta Salad
- Chill The Salad: For the best flavor, let the pasta salad chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together.
- Make It Ahead: This salad can be made a day in advance. To redistribute the dressing, simply toss it briefly before serving.
- Add Protein: To make it a complete meal, you can add grilled chicken, shrimp, or even canned tuna. These additions will boost the protein content and make it more filling.
- Vegetable Variations: Feel free to swap or add any of your favorite veggies. Broccoli florets, carrots, or even artichoke hearts work well in this salad.
Serving Suggestions
This Zesty Italian Pasta Salad is versatile and pairs well with many dishes. Serve it alongside grilled meats, as part of a picnic spread, or even as a light lunch on its own.
The zesty flavors and crunchy veggies make it a refreshing dish for any occasion.
Health Benefits
This pasta salad isn’t just delicious—it’s also packed with nutrients. The colorful veggies provide a range of vitamins and minerals, and using whole wheat pasta can add extra fiber.
Plus, the olive oil in the dressing offers healthy fats that are good for your heart.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoy making and eating this Kraft Zesty Italian Pasta Salad Recipe as much as I do. It’s a simple, flavorful dish that’s sure to become a staple in your recipe collection.
Don’t forget to share your creations and let me know how it turned out in the comments below. Happy cooking!
Kraft Zesty Italian Pasta Salad Recipe: Perfect For Summer
Ingredients
- 12 oz rotini pasta
- 1 cup Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 cup cucumber diced
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper diced
- 1/2 cup green bell pepper diced
- 1/2 cup red onion finely chopped
- 1/2 cup black olives sliced
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese cubed
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook The Pasta
- First, let’s cook the pasta. Heat a big saucepan of salted water till it boils. When the pasta comes out of the packet, add the rotini and cook it until al dente.
- To end the cooking process, drain the pasta and give it a quick rinse under cold water. This will also help cool the pasta for the salad.
- Step 2: Prepare The Vegetables
- While the pasta is cooking, let’s prep the veggies. Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper.
- Finely chop the red onion and slice the black olives. Having all the veggies ready will make the assembly quick and easy.
- Step 3: Mix The Ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, red onion, black olives, and cubed mozzarella cheese.
- Pour in the Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing and toss everything together until well coated. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Step 4: Add Cheese And Garnish
- After adding the grated Parmesan cheese, toss the salad one last time. For an extra touch of flavor, you can add freshly chopped basil leaves on top.
- The basil adds a fresh, aromatic note that complements the zesty dressing beautifully.
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