This easy pasta salad recipe with Italian dressing is perfect for a crowd and for those who do not like tomatoes or olives! We’re using green and red bell peppers, broccoli and fresh grated Parmesan cheese. This recipe is not only quick and easy, but stays nice and crunchy for days! 

Tri Color Italian Pasta Salad Recipe on party tray in grab and go cups
Easy Tri Color Italian Pasta Salad Recipe for a Crowd

Tri Color Italian Pasta Salad: Perfect for a Crowd!

Hey there, pasta lovers! Today, I’m sharing my daughter’s absolute favorite recipe: Tri Color Italian Pasta Salad. This dish is not just colorful and delicious, but it’s also a breeze to make.

Whether you’re prepping for a family gathering or a summer picnic, this pasta salad is sure to be a hit. Plus, it’s perfect for those picky eaters who aren’t fans of tomatoes or olives. Let’s dive into this crowd-pleasing recipe!

Tri Color Italian Pasta Salad cups

Why You’ll Love This Pasta Salad

  • Easy to Make: With just a few simple steps, you have a delicious pasta salad ready to go.
  • Perfect for a Crowd: This recipe makes a generous amount, so it’s perfect for feeding a large group.
  • Versatile: You can customize it with your favorite ingredients or whatever you have on hand.
  • Kid-Friendly: No tomatoes or olives in sight – just fresh, crunchy veggies and tasty pasta.
  • Crunchy for Days: The best part? This salad stays nice and crunchy for days, making it an excellent make-ahead dish.

Grab-and-Go Italian Pasta Salad Cups: Perfect Party Appetizer

Who doesn’t love a creative party snack board? For a fun and convenient party presentation, serve your Tri Color Italian Pasta Salad in small clear plastic cups with forks. Arrange the cups in a circle on a large tray with a bowl of mini crackers in the center. This setup is easy for guests to grab and enjoy while mingling.

Tri Color Italian Pasta Salad Recipe with blonde woman holding a tray

Tri Color Italian Pasta Salad Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need:

  • 1 (16 ounce) package tri color rotini pasta
  • 1 (16 ounce) bottle Italian salad dressing
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 cup finely chopped broccoli (can substitute with yellow squash)
  • 4 oz grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 tsp cracked pepper
  • Salt to taste
  • Optional: sun dried tomatoes

Optional Ingredients for Extra Flavor:

  • Pepperoni, chopped
  • Kalamata olives, chopped
  • Grape tomatoes, sliced in half
  • A few dashes of cracked red pepper
  • Feta cheese, crumbled
Tri Color Italian Pasta Salad in bowl

Instructions:

  1. Cook the Pasta: Start by cooking the tri color rotini pasta according to the package instructions. Once done, drain and rinse under cold water to cool it down quickly.
  2. Prep the Veggies: While the pasta is cooking, chop the green and red bell peppers and finely chop the broccoli (or yellow squash if you’re using that instead).
  3. Heat the Broccoli: Now place the broccoli (or squash) into a microwavable bowl, heat in the microwave for 30 seconds. This gently steams the vegetable making it much more flavorful.
  4. Mix it Up: In a large bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta with the chopped bell peppers and broccoli. Pour in 3/4 of the Italian salad dressing bottle and mix well to ensure everything is coated evenly. Keep the rest of the the salad dressing to mix into the pasta salad before serving.
  5. Add Cheese and Seasonings: Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the salad. Add the cracked pepper and a pinch of salt to taste. Mix everything together until well combined.
  6. Chill: Refrigerate the pasta salad for at least an hour before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
  7. Before serving: Mix in the rest of the salad dressing before serving.

Customize (if you like): If you’re feeling adventurous, toss in some chopped pepperoni, Kalamata olives, or sliced grape tomatoes. For a little kick, add a few dashes of cracked red pepper. And if you love cheese, a sprinkle of crumbled feta can take this salad to the next level.

Tri Color Italian Pasta Salad Recipe

Tips for the Best Pasta Salad

  • Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Al dente is best to ensure the pasta holds up well in the salad.
  • Chop Veggies Evenly: This ensures every bite is packed with flavor.
  • Let it Chill: Giving the salad time to chill in the fridge helps the flavors come together.

So there you have it! A vibrant, flavorful, and easy-to-make Tri Color Italian Pasta Salad that’s perfect for any occasion. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it’ll become a staple in your kitchen, just like it is in ours.

Enjoy, and happy cooking! Print the recipe below.

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5 from 1 vote

Tri Color Italian Pasta Salad

This easy pasta salad recipe with Italian dressing is perfect for a crowd and for those who do not like tomatoes or olives! We’re using green and red bell peppers, broccoli and fresh grated Parmesan cheese. This recipe is not only quick and easy, but stays nice and crunchy for days!
Total Time22 minutes
Yield: 10
Author: Amy Locurto
Calories: 333kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 16 ounce package tri color rotini pasta
  • 1 16 ounce bottle Italian salad dressing
  • 1 green bell pepper chopped
  • 1 red green bell pepper chopped
  • 1 cup finely chopped broccoli (can substitute with yellow squash)
  • 4 oz grated Parmesan cheese
  • ¼ tsp cracked pepper
  • Salt to taste

Instructions

  • Cook the Pasta: Start by cooking the tri color rotini pasta according to the package instructions. Once done, drain and rinse under cold water to cool it down quickly.
  • Prep the Veggies: While the pasta is cooking, chop the green and red bell peppers and finely chop the broccoli (or yellow squash if you're using that instead).
  • Heat the Broccoli: Now place the broccoli (or squash) into a microwavable bowl, heat in the microwave for 30 seconds. This gently steams the vegetable making it much more flavorful.
  • Mix it Up: In a large bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta with the chopped bell peppers and broccoli. Pour in 3/4 of the Italian salad dressing bottle and mix well to ensure everything is coated evenly. Keep the rest of the the salad dressing to mix into the pasta salad before serving.
  • Add Cheese and Seasonings: Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the salad. Add the cracked pepper and a pinch of salt to taste. Mix everything together until well combined.
  • Chill: Refrigerate the pasta salad for at least an hour before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
  • Before serving: Mix in the rest of the salad dressing before serving for that added zest.

Notes

Other ingredients you could use to add even more flavor:
  • Pepperoni, chopped
  • Kalamata olives, chopped
  • Grape tomatoes, sliced in half
  • A few dashes of cracked red pepper
  • Feta cheese, crumbled
Plan To Make This?Please share if you do. Mention @LivingLocurto or tag #LivingLocurto on Instagram. We’d love to see!
CLICK HERE -> To Leave a Comment
Course: dinner
Cuisine: American
Keyword: appetizer, italian pasta salad, party food, pasta salad, side dish, summer, tri color pasta salad, vegetables

Nutrition

Calories: 333kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 655mg | Potassium: 235mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 586IU | Vitamin C: 33mg | Calcium: 122mg | Iron: 1mg

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