Get ready to elevate your pasta salad game with this supreme pasta salad recipe. It’s packed with tender pasta, fresh veggies, savory pepperoni, creamy mozzarella, and a kick of zesty Italian dressing.
Oh, and the real MVP? McCormick’s Salad Supreme Seasoning. Trust me, a few shakes of this stuff will take your pasta salad from “pretty good” to “pretty darn amazing.”
This dish is perfect for summer cookouts, potlucks, or even a quick weeknight dinner.
And the best part? It tastes even better the next day after all those delicious flavors have had a chance to mingle.
Why You’ll Love This Supreme Pasta Salad
Full of Flavor: The combination of zesty Italian dressing and McCormick Salad Supreme Seasoning packs a serious punch.
Colorful Presentation: With a mix of cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, black olives, and fresh herbs, this salad is almost too pretty to eat.
Easy Preparation: The recipe is straightforward and quick to prepare, even for beginners.
Crowd-Pleaser: This pasta salad is a hit with both kids and adults, making it a go-to dish for any event.
Ingredients
- Rotini or Fusilli Pasta: Spiral-shaped pasta is perfect for holding onto the dressing and seasonings, ensuring every bite is flavorful.
- Cucumber: It adds a refreshing crunch and lightness to the salad.
- Cherry Tomatoes: They provide a vibrant color and fresh taste.
- Bell Pepper: It offers a sweet, crisp texture and a pop of color.
- Red Onion: It adds a sharp, savory bite to balance the sweetness of the other vegetables.
- Black Olives: They bring a briny, salty flavor to complement the other ingredients.
- Pepperoni Slices: They add a savory, slightly spicy element to the salad.
- Mozzarella Cheese and Parmesan Cheese: The mozzarella provides a creamy texture, while the Parmesan adds a nutty, salty flavor.
- Fresh Parsley and Basil: These herbs add a burst of freshness and aromatic flavor.
- Zesty Italian Dressing: A tangy, flavorful dressing ties all the ingredients together.
- McCormick Salad Supreme Seasoning: The blend enhances the overall flavor of the salad with a savory kick.
How to Make Supreme Pasta Salad
This pasta salad is as easy as can be!
1. Cook the pasta. Cook the rotini or fusilli pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water until cool. Drain well.
2. Combine the ingredients. In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cucumber, tomatoes, bell pepper, red onion, olives, pepperoni, mozzarella, and Parmesan.
3. Add the dressing and seasoning. Pour the Italian dressing and sprinkle the Salad Supreme Seasoning over the pasta mixture. Toss gently until evenly coated.
4. Add the fresh herbs. Stir in the fresh parsley and basil.
5. Refrigerate to meld the flavors. Cover and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld.
6. Toss and season. Give the salad a final toss before serving. Taste and add more Salad Supreme Seasoning or dressing if needed. Serve chilled, and enjoy!
Tips for the Best Supreme Pasta Salad
These tips and tricks will make your pasta salad top-notch.
- Give the pasta a rinse. After cooking, rinse the pasta under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down quickly.
- Quality is key. Opt for a zesty Italian dressing to complement the flavors of the salad. Recommended brands include Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing, Olive Garden Signature Italian Dressing, and Ken’s Steak House Simply Vinaigrette Italian.
- Dress while warm. Toss the pasta with some of the dressing while it’s still warm to help it absorb the flavors better.
- Double your pleasure. Add more dressing just before serving to ensure the salad is well-coated and flavorful.
- Give it a nutrition boost. Consider adding broccoli, carrots, peas, or artichokes for additional flavor and nutrition.
- Make it a complete meal. This pasta salad pairs well with grilled chicken, steak, or fish. It’s the perfect side dish for summer barbecues and picnics.
How to Store
If you have leftovers, you’ll be glad to know they’ll last for days.
To Store: Place in an air-tight container and refrigerate. The salad will keep for up to 5 days, ensuring the flavors meld beautifully over time. For optimal taste, let it rest at room temperature for about 20 minutes before serving.
Supreme Pasta Salad
8
servings10
minutes10
minutes367
kcalThis supreme pasta salad will be the hit of any potluck! It’s full of veggies, pepperoni, cheese, pasta, and a tangy Italian dressing.
Ingredients
16 oz rotini or fusilli pasta
1 cucumber, seeded and chopped
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 bell pepper (red, yellow or orange), chopped
1/2 red onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup sliced black olives
1/2 cup pepperoni slices, cut in half
1 cup cubed mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/3 cup chopped fresh basil
1 cup zesty Italian dressing
2 -3 tbsp McCormick Salad Supreme Seasoning
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted water according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water until pasta is cool. Drain well.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cucumber, tomatoes, bell pepper, red onion, olives, pepperoni, mozzarella, and parmesan.
- Pour the Italian dressing and sprinkle the Salad Supreme Seasoning over the pasta mixture. Toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
- Stir in the fresh parsley and basil.
- Cover and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 1 hour to let the flavors meld together.
- Give the salad a final toss before serving. Taste and add more Salad Supreme Seasoning or dressing if needed. Serve chilled, and enjoy!
