Italian Pasta Salad
Recipe

Pasta, broccoli, Italian-style tomatoes, olives and prepared pesto are all that you need to create this great salad and if you use the easy menu planner and additions listed below, you will have a variety of quick and simple ways to create meals in minutes from this one quick Italian pasta salad recipe.

2-3 servings

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5 Ingredients Needed:

rotini pasta (corkscrew style) – 2 cups cooked

broccoli (fresh or frozen) – 1 cup cut into bite size pieces
(if using fresh broccoli – steam until tender)
(if using frozen broccoli - thaw, drain and cut into pieces)

canned Italian-style tomatoes – (1) 14.5 oz can – drained
(save juice for sauce)
(cut tomato pieces if they are too large)

black olives – 1/4 cup chopped

bottled prepared pesto – 1/4 cup

Make Ahead:
- Prepare the pasta according to package directions

- If using frozen broccoli, thaw and drain ahead of time

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1. Prepare pasta according to package directions, drain and place 2 cups in a large mixing bowl.

2. Add the broccoli, tomatoes and olives. Toss to combine.

3. In a small dish, combine the pesto with a little of the juice from the canned tomatoes and thin until you have a slightly thick sauce. Pour over salad ingredients and mix well to combine.

Use the menu planner below for this easy Italian pasta salad recipe.


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Quick Meals - Menu Planner

** Serve this quick pasta salad with warm garlic bread and a simple lettuce salad tossed with seasoned rice vinegar.

** Simple Pasta Salad with Lemon Avocado Slices: Make an easy meal by serving this Italian pasta salad recipe on chilled plates with avocado slices drizzled with lemon juice on the side.

** Serve this pasta salad recipe with steamed or grilled vegetables of choice on the side.

** This quick salad recipe also goes well with a simple side like our caprese salad. Both are quick, easy and delicious.

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Try any of the following additions in this Italian salad recipe to give it added taste dimension.

Cheese: 1/2 cup fresh grated Parmesan, 1/2 cup crumbled Blue Cheese or 1/2 cup Mozzarella Cheese – cut into cubes

Fresh Herbs: 1/4 cup Basil – finely chopped, 1/4 cup Oregano – finely chopped or 1/4 cup Flat Leaf Parsley – finely chopped

Meat or Fish: Shrimp – 1/2 cup cooked and diced, Ham – 1/2 cup cooked and cubed or Pepperoni – 1/2 cup sliced


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