Overnight Pasta Salad (the BEST Pasta Salad EVER)
Overnight Pasta Salad (the BEST Pasta Salad EVER) is a vibrant and flavorful dish that will become a staple at your gatherings. This easy-to-make salad combines the goodness of al dente pasta with an array of fresh vegetables and a zesty Italian dressing, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully overnight. Ideal for potlucks, barbecues, or as a hearty side for any meal, this salad is not only delicious but also versatile—feel free to add your favorite proteins like grilled chicken or turkey! Enjoy the refreshing taste and colorful presentation that will impress family and friends alike.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately 8
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Chilling
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb pasta (rotini, penne, or fusilli)
- 2 cups Italian dressing
- 1 packet dry Italian dressing mix
- 8 oz sun-dried tomatoes (drained and chopped)
- 1 can pitted black olives (drained)
- 1 pint grape tomatoes (diced)
- 1 English cucumber (diced)
- 1 red onion (diced)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- While the pasta is still warm, stir in the Italian dressing and dry Italian dressing mix until evenly coated.
- Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and mix well. Cover tightly and refrigerate overnight.
- Before serving, fold in black olives, grape tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion until combined. Adjust seasoning if needed.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 0mg