Zesty Olive Garden-Inspired Pasta Salad

This vibrant pasta salad brings the beloved flavors of Olive Garden straight to your kitchen. It’s a delightful medley of rotini pasta, crisp vegetables, savory cheeses, and bold Italian dressing. Every bite is tangy, crunchy, creamy, and fresh — the ultimate side or standalone meal. Perfect for potlucks, summer BBQs, or a no-fuss weekday dinner, this pasta salad is endlessly versatile. Make it ahead of time for meal prep, and watch it disappear fast at any table. Plus, it’s vegetarian-friendly and easily customizable with your favorite add-ins like grilled chicken or fresh herbs.

Full recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 lb rotini pasta

• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

• 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced

• 1 cup black olives, sliced

• 1 cup pepperoncini peppers, sliced

• 1 cup croutons

• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

• 1/2 cup sliced cucumbers

• 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced

• 1/2 cup shredded carrots

• 1 cup Olive Garden Signature Italian Dressing (or any Italian dressing)

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Cook rotini pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, red onion, black olives, pepperoncini, croutons, Parmesan, mozzarella, cucumbers, red bell pepper, and carrots.

3. Pour the Italian dressing over the salad and toss well to combine.

4. Season with oregano, salt, and pepper.

5. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving.

6. Give it a quick toss before serving and garnish with extra cheese or croutons if desired.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 25 minutes
Kcal: 320 kcal | Servings: 8 servings

A Homestyle Classic Inspired by Olive Garden

This Zesty Olive Garden-Inspired Pasta Salad is a delicious tribute to the iconic side dish served at one of America’s favorite Italian restaurant chains. Loved for its bright flavors, creamy texture, and satisfying crunch, this pasta salad blends the comfort of home cooking with the familiar flavors of your favorite restaurant. It’s a dish that brings people together, whether it’s for a laid-back family dinner, a summer cookout, or a holiday potluck.

What sets this recipe apart is its ability to capture the essence of traditional Italian cuisine while still being incredibly easy to prepare. With a base of rotini pasta and a bounty of fresh, crunchy vegetables, this salad doesn’t just taste good — it feels good to eat. Tossed in a tangy Italian dressing and finished with Parmesan and mozzarella, it hits all the right notes: savory, creamy, crunchy, and refreshing.

A Perfect Dish for Any Occasion

One of the greatest strengths of this pasta salad is its versatility. Need a quick weeknight dinner that satisfies everyone at the table? This is it. Hosting a weekend barbecue or picnic? This dish travels well and pleases a crowd. Planning your meals for the week ahead? It holds up beautifully in the fridge for 3–4 days, making it a top-tier meal prep option.

It’s just as fitting served alongside grilled meats, sandwiches, or roasted vegetables as it is eaten alone as a light main course. The combination of flavors makes it adaptable to any season and occasion, from cozy fall meals to sunny summer afternoons.

Health Benefits and Wholesome Ingredients

Though it’s indulgent in flavor, this pasta salad also offers plenty of nutrition. The rotini pasta provides complex carbohydrates for sustained energy, while the assortment of vegetables — cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, and bell peppers — pack in vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber.

Adding black olives brings heart-healthy fats, and the inclusion of cheese adds a dose of calcium and protein. Want to make it even healthier? Use whole wheat pasta, add grilled chicken or chickpeas for added protein, and swap out traditional Italian dressing for a homemade, lower-sugar version.

This dish is vegetarian by default and easily customizable to suit vegan, gluten-free, or dairy-free diets, making it a flexible choice for various dietary needs.

Why This Pasta Salad Recipe Is a Crowd Favorite

Here are a few reasons this Zesty Olive Garden-Inspired Pasta Salad is loved by so many:

• Flavor-packed: Every bite is a blend of salty, tangy, creamy, and crisp. The croutons and veggies offer textural contrast, while the cheeses and dressing provide richness and depth.

• Make-ahead friendly: The flavors deepen as it rests, making it even tastier the next day.

• Feeds a crowd: It yields 8 hearty servings, making it ideal for entertaining or feeding a large family.

• Budget-conscious: Most of the ingredients are pantry or fridge staples, making this a wallet-friendly choice.

• Customizable: Add grilled chicken, swap in different vegetables, use vegan cheese — the options are endless.

Tips for Perfecting This Pasta Salad

Here are a few expert tips to elevate your salad even more:

• Cook your pasta al dente: Slightly firm pasta holds its shape and texture better in a chilled salad.

• Rinse the pasta: This stops the cooking process and prevents the noodles from sticking together.

• Chill before serving: Giving it at least an hour in the fridge allows the flavors to meld and intensify.

• Add croutons just before serving: This keeps them crispy instead of soggy.

• Freshen it up the next day: Add a little more dressing or a squeeze of lemon to revive leftovers.

Ingredient Spotlight

Let’s take a deeper look at a few of the star ingredients that make this salad so irresistible:

• Rotini Pasta: Its corkscrew shape is perfect for holding onto the dressing, giving each bite full flavor.

• Pepperoncini Peppers: These mild pickled peppers add zing and a vinegary bite that balances the creamy and cheesy elements.

• Parmesan & Mozzarella Cheese: A combination of sharp and mild cheese provides layered richness without overpowering the fresh vegetables.

• Olive Garden Italian Dressing: This signature dressing is a tangy, zesty blend of vinegar, herbs, and spices that brings all the ingredients together in harmony.

Make It Your Own

Don’t be afraid to get creative with this pasta salad. Here are some fun variations:

• Add protein: Grilled chicken, turkey, tuna, chickpeas, or hard-boiled eggs.

• Make it spicy: Add chopped jalapeños or red chili flakes.

• Use different cheeses: Try feta, provolone, or even gouda.

• Try a different dressing: Balsamic vinaigrette, Caesar, or a creamy pesto dressing can completely change the flavor profile.

• Incorporate herbs: Fresh basil, parsley, or dill can add a refreshing herbal note.

A Family Favorite That Never Disappoints

This Zesty Olive Garden-Inspired Pasta Salad has become a favorite in many households because of its reliability, deliciousness, and the joy it brings to the table. It’s one of those go-to recipes that people request again and again. Whether you’re new to cooking or a seasoned home chef, this salad offers simplicity without sacrificing flavor.

Kids love it, adults crave it, and even picky eaters find something to enjoy in its colorful, vibrant mix. Plus, it makes for a great leftover that only improves with time.

Conclusion

In a world of overly complicated recipes and trendy fads, this pasta salad brings things back to basics — with a tasty twist. It’s grounded in comfort, easy to prepare, and endlessly adaptable. It honors the traditional flavors of Italian-American cuisine while giving you the freedom to make it your own. Add it to your weekly meal rotation, bring it to your next gathering, or make a batch to enjoy throughout the week. However you serve it, this Zesty Olive Garden-Inspired Pasta Salad is bound to become a staple you’ll return to again and again.