Chilled 4th of July Pasta Salad Recipe
Celebrate Independence Day with this vibrant and flavorful Chilled 4th of July Pasta Salad. Perfect for picnics, barbecues, or any festive gathering, this colorful dish is a delightful addition to your summer menu.
- Author: Maya
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing, Chilling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Pasta:
- 1 pound package of rotini pasta, cooked and rinsed
Red Dyed Pasta:
- 3–4 drops of red liquid food coloring
- 1 tablespoon water
Blue Dyed Pasta:
- 3–4 drops of blue liquid food coloring
- 1 tablespoon water
Remaining Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive or vegetable oil
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, cubed or mozzarella pearls
- 3/4 cup pepperoni, quartered
- 1/2 cup chopped black olives
- 1 (16-ounce) bottle of Italian dressing
- Cook and Prepare Pasta
Begin by cooking the pasta according to the package directions. Drain well after cooking to remove excess water.
- Dye the Pasta
In separate bags, dye a portion of pasta red and another portion blue using food coloring and water. Mix well until the color is uniform. Keep a portion undyed by mixing with oil.
- Prevent Color Bleeding
Mix the undyed pasta with oil to prevent color bleeding.
- Combine Ingredients
In a large bowl, mix all three portions of pasta with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, pepperoni, olives, and Italian dressing.
- Chill and Serve
Cover the pasta salad and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving. Enjoy your colorful and festive pasta salad!
Notes
- You can customize this salad with your favorite ingredients like grilled chicken, bell peppers, or fresh herbs.
- Adjust the food coloring intensity based on your preference for a more vibrant or subtle look.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: 4th of July, Pasta Salad, Independence Day, Picnic Food, Summer Recipes