Tuscan Pasta Salad

Cold pasta salad just might be the easiest dish to make year round.

Recipe Summary Tuscan Pasta Salad

A flavorful diversion from the run-of-the-mill Italian pasta salad. I like to serve this with grilled, fried, or barbecued chicken, and a crusty artisan bread. I would double the portions if you want to have leftovers when serving 4 or more; this goes fast in my home! Enjoy!

Ingredients | Pasta Salad Recipes Easy Italian Dressing

1 cup bow-tie pasta

1 ½ cups grape tomatoes, sliced

1 cup Italian dressing (such as Kraft® Tuscan House Italian)

1 cup vegan mayonnaise (such as Vegenaise®)

3 stalks celery, chopped

1 cucumber, peeled and chopped

½ cup pepperoncini peppers, minced

½ cup red onion, diced

½ cup sweet banana peppers, diced

½ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and chopped

½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese

½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese

salt and ground black pepper to taste

Directions

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook bow-tie pasta at a boil, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes. Drain.

Combine pasta, tomatoes, Italian dressing, vegan mayonnaise, celery, cucumber, pepperoncini peppers, red onion, banana peppers, olives, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese in a large mixing bowl. Mix until the dressing takes on a creamy consistency and all ingredients are thoroughly coated.

Season salad with salt and pepper. Serve immediately or refrigerate, mixing again just before serving.

Other pasta shapes may be used in place of bow-tie pasta. You want to end up with 2 cups of cooked pasta.

The pepperoncini peppers can be either sweet or mild.

Real bacon bits or diced, cooked meat can be added to create a robust Mediterranean meal.

Info | Pasta Salad Recipes Easy Italian Dressing

prep: 30 mins cook: 15 mins total: 45 mins Servings: 8 Yield: 8 cups

TAG : Tuscan Pasta Salad

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