A refreshing Italian-style pasta salad packed with bright bell peppers, fresh cherry tomatoes, crisp broccoli florets, black olives and cheese cubes. It’s an easy, crowd-pleasing side that’s perfect for potlucks, picnics or a summer barbecue. Lightly seasoned with Italian dressing and a packet of zesty Italian seasoning mix, this salad comes together quickly and keeps well, making it a reliable make-ahead option for gatherings.
Even after Labor Day, when many recipes shift toward warm and cozy flavors, this pasta salad is ideal whenever the weather still calls for something cool and colorful. It’s flexible, simple to prepare, and easy to scale up when you need to feed a crowd. The components are forgiving — use the pasta shape you prefer (rotini, bowtie, penne) and swap vegetables to suit what’s in season or what you have on hand.
I recently made a very large batch for a family birthday potluck and it was a hit. The combination of zesty Italian seasoning mixed into a bottle of Italian dressing gives the salad a well-rounded flavor without extra fuss. The contrast of sweet peppers, juicy cherry tomatoes and salty olives with cubes of cheese creates texture and a pleasing balance of tastes. Because the salad is served chilled or at room temperature, it travels well for picnics and outdoor events.
This recipe is naturally adaptable for dietary needs: use a gluten-free pasta to make it gluten-free, omit the cheese or choose a plant-based alternative for a vegan version, or swap in different vegetables and add cooked protein if you want to make it more substantial. It’s also easy to halve or double depending on the size of your gathering.
Summertime Pasta Salad
A refreshing pasta salad loaded with Italian seasoning, sweet green and red peppers, fresh cherry tomatoes, broccoli florets and cheese cubes. Perfect for any get-together or picnic.
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 12 people
Calories: 359 kcal
Author: Amanda Mason
Ingredients
- 1 box pasta (use your favorite: rotini, bowtie, penne, etc.)
- 1 packet zesty Italian salad dressing & marinade mix
- 1 (16 ounce) bottle Italian dressing
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1/2 yellow bell pepper, chopped
- 1 cup raw broccoli, finely chopped
- 1 can black olives, drained
- 1 package cubed cheese (or cheese of your choice)
Instructions
- In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking and cool the noodles.
- Whisk the packet of zesty Italian dressing mix into the bottle of Italian dressing. Pour into a lidded container and shake well, then chill for at least an hour to let the flavors meld.
- In a large salad bowl, combine the cooled pasta with cherry tomatoes, chopped bell peppers, chopped raw broccoli, drained black olives and the cubed cheese. Toss gently to mix.
- Right before serving, pour the chilled Italian dressing mixture over the pasta salad and toss to coat evenly. Taste and adjust seasoning if desired. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes and Tips
To prevent a soggy salad, be sure the pasta is completely cooled before adding the dressing. Make the dressing ahead and chill it so flavors deepen; toss the salad with dressing shortly before serving. For portability, keep the dressing separate and combine it with the pasta salad just before eating.
Substitutions and variations: use gluten-free pasta to make it gluten-free; leave out the cheese or choose a dairy-free alternative for a vegan salad; add cooked chickpeas, grilled chicken or shrimp to make it a heartier main. Swap or add crunchy elements like diced cucumber, sliced red onion or toasted pine nuts for texture.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Note that the pasta will absorb some dressing over time; if the salad looks dry, stir in a little extra Italian dressing before serving.
Nutrition
Calories per serving: 359 kcal (approximate).
This pasta salad is versatile, easy to scale and ideal for warm-weather meals or any time you want a bright, no-fuss side. Whether you’re packing it for a hike, bringing it to a potluck, or setting it out for a backyard cookout, it’s a dependable and delicious option that many people enjoy.
