Here’s a delicious **Layered Pasta Salad** recipe that’s perfect for parties, picnics, or any gathering. It’s colorful, flavorful, and easy to make!
### Ingredients:
#### For the Salad:
– **12 oz (340g) rotini or any short pasta** (cooked and drained)
– **1 cup cherry tomatoes**, halved
– **1 cup cucumber**, diced
– **1/2 cup red onion**, thinly sliced
– **1/2 cup bell pepper**, diced (use any color)
– **1/2 cup black olives**, sliced
– **1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese** (optional)
– **1/2 cup cooked bacon bits** (optional)
#### For the Dressing:
– **1 cup mayonnaise**
– **1/4 cup Italian dressing** (store-bought or homemade)
– **2 teaspoons white vinegar**
– **1 teaspoon Dijon mustard**
– **Salt and pepper**, to taste
### Instructions:
1. **Cook the pasta**: Cook the pasta according to package instructions, drain, and rinse with cold water to cool it down. Set aside.
2. **Prepare the dressing**: In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Italian dressing, white vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth and well-combined.
3. **Layer the salad**:
– In a large bowl or serving dish, layer the ingredients in the following order:
– First, place the cooked pasta as the base layer.
– Next, add the sliced cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, bell peppers, and olives. You can arrange them in sections or scatter them evenly over the pasta layer.
– Optional: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese and bacon bits on top for extra flavor.
4. **Add the dressing**: Pour the dressing evenly over the top layer, ensuring everything is covered.
5. **Chill**: Cover the salad with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and the salad to chill properly.
6. **Serve**: Just before serving, toss the salad gently to mix the dressing through or serve as-is for a pretty layered look.
### Tips:
– You can customize the salad by adding other ingredients like **fresh herbs**, **grilled chicken**, or **pepperoni slices**.
– Make sure to refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour for the best flavor and to allow the dressing to soak in.
– For a healthier option, you can use Greek yogurt in place of the mayonnaise for the dressing.
This **Layered Pasta Salad** is sure to be a crowd-pleaser with its crunchy vegetables, creamy dressing, and vibrant colors!