Rainbow Italian Pasta Salad
by Amanda Keefer
Brighten up your menu with this easy rainbow Italian pasta salad tossed in a homemade Italian vinaigrette. Fresh veggies like mini sweet peppers, cherry tomatoes and cucumbers offer the right amount of crunch that’s topped with fresh Parmesan cheese.
When it comes to pasta salads, the flavor combinations are endless. This rainbow pasta salad is bright and colorful and is easy to customize with your kids’ favorite ingredients.
Add chopped broccoli, shredded carrots, artichoke hearts, diced ham or chickpeas for more flavor!
Nutrition Tip: White pasta contains fiber and is enriched with iron and B vitamins. It’s also low on the Glyemic Index, which means it doesn’t make your blood sugar soar and crash after eating it. If you can find whole wheat bowties, you’ll get even more fiber per serving.
My family are big fans of mini sweet peppers. They’re a must for my daughter Charli’s famous salsa recipe and could not be more kid-friendly.
Mini sweet peppers are great for snacks, salads, grilling and more – especially for this pasta salad. Plus, about 4 mini sweet peppers contain your entire daily value of vitamin C!
This recipe can be made ahead of time and chilled in the refrigerator until ready to serve. It’s perfect for a family picnic, summer cookout or potluck lunch.
Commonly Asked Questions About Rainbow Italian Pasta Salad
Q: What ingredients are in Rainbow Italian Pasta Salad?
A: Our recipe includes bowtie pasta, mini sweet peppers (red, orange, and yellow), black olives, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and Parmesan cheese, dressed with a homemade Italian vinaigrette.
Q: How do you make Italian dressing for Rainbow Italian Pasta Salad?
A: Whisk together olive oil, white wine vinegar, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper.
Q: Can I make Rainbow Italian Pasta Salad ahead of time?
A: Yes, this salad can be made in advance and chilled in the refrigerator until ready to serve, making it perfect for picnics, potlucks, or meal prep.
Q: Can I use a different type of pasta for my pasta salad?
A: Yes, feel free to use any short pasta shape like penne, rotini, or fusilli in place of the bowtie pasta.
Q: How can I make this pasta salad vegetarian or vegan?
A: This salad is already vegetarian. To make it vegan, simply use egg-free noodles and omit the Parmesan cheese or use a plant-based cheese alternative.
Q: What other vegetables can I add to this pasta salad?
A: You can customize this salad with your favorite veggies like blanched green beans, roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, or fresh spinach.
Let’s get cooking and make this yummy Rainbow Italian Pasta Salad!
Rainbow Italian Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 12 oz. bowtie pasta
- red mini sweet peppers sliced
- orange mini sweet peppers sliced
- yellow mini sweet peppers sliced
- 1 6 oz. can whole black olives
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- ½ seedless cucumber chopped
- ¼ cup freshly-shredded Parmesan cheese
Dressing
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 3 Tbsp. white wine vinegar
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1½ tsp. Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
- ½ tsp. honey
- ¼ tsp. salt
- ⅛ tsp. pepper
Instructions
- Whisk oil, vinegar, garlic, Italian seasoning, mustard, honey, salt and pepper in small bowl. Set aside.
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain, rinse with cold water and let cool.
- In large bowl, mix together pasta, peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers and olives. Drizzle with dressing and toss to coat well. Top with Parmesan cheese.
