My Tri Color Pasta Salad Recipe is a perfect side dish or full meal that is full of vegetables and bright flavors! Follow our easy recipe for a perfect dish.
I’m a sucker for any kind of pasta salad, that’s why my pesto pasta salad (video) is my next favorite to this pasta salad!
Tri Color Pasta Salad Recipe
A good pasta salad is a must for summer months. Especially when you are grilling things like chicken kabobs and pork shashlik on the barbecue. This Pasta Salad is one of my favorites because it is both simple and full of flavor. A ready-made salad dressing gives it robust flavor without making you slave in the kitchen for any longer. Keeping all of these ingredients on hand means I can whip this up in minutes for any meal. If you love simple cold salads like this one, you will definitely enjoy our couscous arugula salad.
Heres what you’ll need to make this recipe
VEGETABLES: We love the crunchiness of the red onion, bell peppers, and juicy cherry tomatoes. We also add raw mushrooms and sliced black olives for extra pops of flavor. But you can honestly add any vegetables you like.
DRESSING: You can make your own Italian dressing or you can use store-bought. You can even use homemade greek salad dressing as well.
PASTA: We love to use tri-color rotini but any bite-sized pasta like elbow macaroni, farfalle, or penne will work too.
How to make Tri Color Pasta Salad
Here is a quick breakdown of how to make it. For the complete list of ingredients and directions, find the printable option at the end of this blog post.
- Prepare the vegetables: you will need to slice up the mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, onion, and pepper. I recommend using small tomatoes instead of the large ones or they might get mushy.
- Prepare your pasta: I just make mine according to package directions or al dente.
- Mix all ingredients together: Here is where you toss everything into a large bowl and mix in the dressing. Chill before serving.
Add-ins and substitutions
If you prefer to use other vegetables, you are more than welcome to! You can even give it a Greek spin and add feta cheese, or give it more crunch with broccoli, or a nice kick from banana peppers.
Storing and shelflife
This salad tastes best the same day after its been chilled. But you can keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days. After the pasta starts to become mushy. Just make sure to cover the bowl with plastic wrap tightly.
Can I freeze it?
I don’t recommend freezing this pasta salad since its meant to be served fresh. But you can definitely make it ahead of time by chopping up the veggies prior to cooking the pasta and mixing in the dressing.
What to serve it with
Most cold pasta salads are served in the summer as a refreshing side dish. That is why we love to serve it with grilled barbecue wings, cedar plank salmon, grilled chicken kabobs, or even with a grilled Caprese sandwich.
More Yummy Pasta Dishes
I love the Tri Color Pasta Salad for lunch, or as a side dish. However, sometimes I want something a bit richer. So, the recipes I listed below are some great pasta dishes you too might like for a more complete meal option to satisfy your cravings.
- Blackened Chicken Alfredo
- Creamy Chicken Mushrooms Pasta
- Spaghetti with Zucchini
- Potato Gnocchi Recipe with Parmesan Sauce
Tri Color Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 1 12 oz package tri-color rotini
- 2/3 cup red bell pepper chopped
- 1/2 cup red onion chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes sliced in halves
- 1 cup mushrooms sliced
- 1 cup black olives sliced
- 2 2/3 cup Italian dressing
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the package making sure to salt the water well. Once the pasta is cooked, pour it into a colander and rinse the pasta with cold water to stop it from cooking any anymore. After all the water is strained, place the pasta into a large bowl.
- Chop the bell pepper and red onion, then slice the tomatoes, and mushrooms.
- Add the vegetables to the pasta and mix just to combine
- Pour the Italian dressing over the pasta and stir well. It might seem like a lot of dressing at first, but the pasta will absorb a lot of it.
- serve chilled.
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe was originally posted March 19, 2015, we’ve tweaked it a bit since then.
- Shrimp Alfredo Pasta - July 31, 2021
- Blackened Chicken Alfredo - July 29, 2021
- Bacon Wrapped Asparagus - July 28, 2021
Vanessa says
Hello! I need to make this Friday night for Saturday afternoon. Should I make the recipe, store in fridge and then add the dressing just before serving?
Or should I just make the recipe with dressing and store in fridge until Saturday afternoon? I’m afraid it will dry up? But I don’t know if that is the case so that is why I am asking 🙂
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Vanessa, I would recommend making the pasta salad the night before. That way the flavors infuse together for better taste 🙂
christina scaduto says
I can’t find the serving size but all in all it was delicious
simplyhomecooked says
Thank you Christina for your kind feedback! I really appreciate it 🙂 The suggested serving is 8 and it is in the recipe card. With the cooking time, prep time, calories, and author. It’s only a suggestion since it depends on each person 🙂
Val says
Never thought of adding mushrooms to pasta salad but I love mushrooms. Will be trying that next time. 🙂
simplyhomecooked says
Thank you Val, mushrooms are such a delicious addition to pasta salads!
Julia says
As we are moving into warmer weather I can’t imagine a better pasta salad than this one. I love how simple it is to throw together!
simplyhomecooked says
Thank you Julia! This is my go-to summer pasta salad. So easy and quick!
ND says
The colorful pasta salad is so bomb, even my boys will love it. I am excited to have them eat veggies! They have been so picky!
simplyhomecooked says
Thank you, ND! Tri-color pasta salad is such a pretty way to get kids to eat more veggies!
Katie says
Oohhh I love how simple this pasta salad is and that you used tri-color noodles. Quick question…do you think I can use tri-color whole wheat pasta noodles?
simplyhomecooked says
Thank you Katie, I have never used whole wheat pasta for this pasta salad, but I think it should still taste great with the whole wheat noodles 🙂
Kelcee says
I omit the mushrooms and add mini pepperonis, cheese cubes, cucumbers, and broccoli florets. Always a huge hit whenever I take it to a barbecue or pot luck! Definitely my favorite go-to side recipe.
simplyhomecooked says
Kelcee I’m so happy you love this Tri color pasta salad! Thank you for leaving feedback 🙂
Jennifer says
Will it get soggy if I make it a night before a bday party?
Sounds delish!
simplyhomecooked says
If you make it the day before, try undercooking the pasta a little bit. That way as it sits the dressing will absorb into the pasta. If the pasta is fully cooked, it will absorb even more and become soggy. Hope that helps Jennifer.
Anna says
Im going to try making it this weekend! Will it still be good if kept in fridge for couple of days?
simplyhomecooked says
Hi Anna, if you plan to make it a few days in advance, try to undercook the pasta. That way as it sits in the fridge for a few days the liquid from the Italian dressing will absorb and balance out. If you fully cook the pasta, it may get a little soggy after a few days. Hope that helps 🙂
Robin says
Good Pasta Salad. I omitted the mushrooms and added some celery. I also like to add 1/2 – 3/4 cup parmesan cheese with either fresh basil or parsley. Mmm Mmm good. I’ve tried different dressings, but I find Ken’s Olive Oil w/Vinegar dressing works best.for me.
simplyhomecooked says
Thank you Robin, I’ll have to try that 🙂
Judy says
I love to add red onions, carrots, red or orange or yellow bell pepper, broccoli, cucumbers and cherry tomatoes.
simplyhomecooked says
That sounds delicious Judy 🙂
dolores a urato says
Love your blog ….please send me updates via email……Blessings dolores…..the pasta salad…..DELISH !!!!!
simplyhomecooked says
Thank you Dolores! If you go to my homepage, there will be an email subscription box that pops up. Type your email in the subscription box. Once you receive the confirmation email, make sure to confirm it. You will receive an update every time I post a new recipe.
Rico Padilla-Roman says
I’ve done one almost exactly like this except for the raw mushrooms…& added chopped ham……
Excellent……
I Love Pasta Salad
simplyhomecooked says
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
jonny87 says
Thanks for posting this. My husband likes taking a side in his lunch and I didn’t like buying ready made but I wanted something simple. The addition of chicken seems like a good idea.
simplyhomecooked says
Thank you! That’s definitely a great addition for a fuller meal.
Brandy says
I added chicken this i sooooo good and healthy
simplyhomecooked says
Great idea Brandy!
Sandra says
Just the recipe I was looking for, but I think I’ll add some small pieces of blanched broccoli florets.
simplyhomecooked says
I hope you enjoy it Sandra!
Dena says
Can you eat those mushrooms raw?
simplyhomecooked says
Yes Dena, you can eat them raw.
Gina says
Try adding some green onion !!!
admin says
Oh good idea Gina!