RED WHITE AND BLUE PASTA SALAD

Red, White and Blue Pasta Salad is a fun and festive dish that is perfect for any patriotic occasion, especially the 4th of July! Made with colored pasta, mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, tomatoes, and your favorite Italian dressing, this zesty Italian pasta salad is sure to be a hit with both kids and adults alike.

The colored pasta used in this pasta side dish adds a playful touch to the salad, making it visually appealing and perfect for any celebration. The combination of mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, and tomatoes creates a delicious flavor profile that is both tangy and savory. The dressing ties all the ingredients together, adding a zesty kick to this Italian pasta salad recipe.

Patriotic Pasta Salad

This delicious Red, White and Blue Pasta Salad is absolutely perfect for your 4th of July, Memorial Day, or Labor Day celebrations. Chilled salad is a great addition to any summer menu and is perfect for outdoor barbecues, picnics, or any other summer gathering. It is also a great way to show your patriotic spirit too!

Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ, attending a potluck, or simply looking for a fun and easy dish to make for your family, this colorful pasta salad is a great option. It’s simple to make, can be prepared ahead of time, and is sure to impress your guests with its patriotic flair.

Why you’ll love this flavorful pasta dish!

• Delicious dish: The combination of the chewy pasta, creamy mozzarella cheese, tangy tomatoes, and savory pepperoni, all coated in your favorite Italian dressing, makes for a delicious and satisfying salad that everyone will love.
• Easy to make: If you can boil pasta and mix a few things together then you have the skills needed to make this simple dish. Grab the kids and have them help out or make it yourself and surprise them with the finished results later.
• It’s versatile: You can customize this salad to your liking by adding your favorite ingredients such as olives, bell peppers, or even grilled chicken. You can also adjust the amount of dressing you use to suit your taste.

Red White Blue Pasta Salad Ingredients

Pasta: You will need one 16-ounce box of rotini pasta that has been cooked and rinsed under cold water. Use the plain colored pasta so that the colors are more vibrant.

Food coloring: To give the pasta a patriotic touch, use about 3-4 drops each of red and blue food coloring.

Water: Adding 2 tablespoons of water (divided) into the pasta will help the food coloring to coat the noodles well.

Oil: Using 1 tablespoon of olive oil, or vegetable oil, for the salad will help keep the pasta from sticking.

Cherry tomatoes: For a burst of color and freshness, add 1 pint of cherry tomatoes that have been sliced in half.

Mozzarella cheese: You need 1 cup of cubed mozzarella cheese, or you can use mozzarella pearls instead.

Pepperoni: Take some pepperoni and slice it into quarters until you’ve reached the ¾ cups needed so there is plenty mixed throughout this amazing salad.

Black olives: For added flavor, stir in ½ cup of chopped black olives. This is equal to a 3-ounce can of chopped olives, if you prefer diced olives those will work too.

Italian dressing: Use one 16-ounce sized bottle of your favorite Italian dressing to give this pasta salad an incredible zesty taste.

How to make Red, White, and Blue Pasta Salad

Prep noodles

Get started by preparing the noodles according to the package directions.

After the noodles have been cooked and rinsed, separate the pasta into 3 ziplocked bags with equal-sized portions of pasta (this is about 3 cups of noodles in each bowl).

Then add 3-4 drops of red food coloring and 1 tablespoon of water to one of the bags and seal is shut tightly.

Do the same with the other bag, but with the blue food coloring. Use 3-4 drops of blue food coloring and 1 tablespoon of water.

Next, gently knead both of the bags to mix and coat the pasta well until it looks uniform in color. If needed, add in 1 more drop of coloring and 1 tablespoon of water to either bag until the desired hue is achieved. Be careful to not add too much coloring or else the pasta will take on too much of the food coloring taste.

Let the pasta sit in each color for about 5 minutes, letting the color really sink in.

After they have been colored, rinse and drain them well before placing each colored pasta into separate bowls.

Then, rinse the plain noodles and drain them well. Put them in a large serving bowl and stir in the olive oil, this will help prevent the food coloring from sticking to the white/plain pasta.

Combine & assemble

Now pour the red and blue pasta into the large bowl with the plain pasta, stir to combine.

Wash and cut the cherry tomatoes in half, put those into the large bowl of pasta.

Depending on the mozzarella cheese you are using, dice into small cubes or drain the pearls, add the cheese to the pasta bowl.

Next slice the pepperoni into quarter pieces until you have ¾ cup and then add it to the pasta mixture as well.

After that, drain the can of olives and pour into the pasta bowl.

Lastly, pour the entire 16-ounce bottle of Italian salad dressing over the pasta and mix well until all the ingredients are fully combined.

Proceed to cover the bowl of pasta and place it into the fridge to chill for at least 1 hour before serving.

Serve and enjoy!

Serving Suggestions for Italian Pasta Salad

Red, White and Blue Pasta Salad is a versatile dish that can be served in many ways. Here are some pairing recommendations to help you create a delicious and memorable meal.

Pairing Recommendations

• Grilled Meat: The pasta salad pairs well with grilled meats such as chicken, beef, or sausage. The smoky flavor of the meat complements the fresh and tangy flavors of the salad.
• Sandwiches: The pasta salad can be served as a side dish with sandwiches. It adds a pop of color and flavor to any sandwich.
• Burgers: The pasta salad can be served with burgers. It provides a refreshing and light contrast to the heavy and savory flavors of the burger.

Customization Tips

• Dressing: Swap the Italian dressing for a different type of dressing, such as ranch or balsamic vinaigrette, to change the flavor profile of the salad.
• Add ins: Add extra vegetables, such as cucumbers, bell peppers, or carrots, to increase the nutritional value of the salad and add extra crunch.
• Meat: Substitute the pepperoni for a different type of meat, such as cooked chicken or shrimp, or leave it out altogether for a vegetarian option.
• Cheese swap: Experiment with different types of cheese, such as feta or cheddar, to add a different texture and taste to the salad.

When to Serve Patriotic Pasta Salad

This tasty salad is great any time of the year and you can easily omit the food coloring to make it a simple and plain Italian pasta salad recipe if desired. That said, with the food coloring added, this dish makes a perfect side dish to any patriotic holiday feast. Serving this patriotic pasta salad at a Memorial Day BBQ, or 4th of July celebration would be so perfect! Oh and do not forget Labor Day near the end of the summer season, any reason to celebrate and serve this festive dish is great!

How should I store the left over pasta salad?

You can keep this pasta salad well covered and stored in the fridge for up to 3 or 4 days. Just make sure to mix it up again before serving. If needed, stir in a little more Italian dressing to help rehydrate the noodles because they can absorb the liquid and dry out as it ages.

What are tips for making pasta salad taste better the next day?

To make pasta salad taste better the next day, it is recommended to add a little extra dressing to the salad before storing it in the refrigerator. This will help the pasta absorb more flavor and prevent it from drying out.

What types of Italian dressing are best for a flavorful pasta salad?

Italian dressing with a bold flavor profile works best for a flavorful pasta salad. Look for dressings that contain herbs and spices such as basil, oregano, and garlic. It is also recommended to use a dressing with a higher oil content to help coat the pasta better.

What are substitutions that I can make?

You do not have to use rotini pasta, if desired you can use any noodle you have on hand, but I think that bow tie noodles would be great here. If you want you can use a different cheese like cheddar (white or yellow) would be really tasty. You can even use small star cookie cutters to shape the cheese into fun shapes. Salami can also be used instead of pepperoni or in addition too, depending on what you like.

Check out these other great Patriotic recipes

• BEST MEMORIAL DAY BBQ RECIPES
• STRAWBERRY TRES LECHES CAKE
• TRIPLE BERRY TRIFLE
• PATRIOTIC MARSHMALLOW BARK
• BERRIES & CREAM CUPCAKES
• MINI PAVLOVA RECIPE
• PATRIOTIC RED, WHITE & BLUE ITALIAN CREAM SODAS
• 4TH OF JULY DESSERTS
• 4TH OF JULY CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRIES
• RED, WHITE & BLUE SWIRL CUPCAKES
• OUR BEST PASTA SALAD RECIPES
• SWIRLED RED, WHITE & BLUE COOKIE BARS
• PATRIOTIC LAYERED JELLO SALAD
• PATRIOTIC JELLO SUGAR COOKIES
• 4TH OF JULY COOKIES
• PATRIOTIC CHOCOLATE CHUNK COOKIE BARS
• PATRIOTIC RED VELVET TRIFLE
• 4TH OF JULY DESSERTS

Red, White and Blue Pasta Salad is a fantastic side dish to bring to your next patriotic themed get together! Made with simple ingredients, this zesty Italian pasta salad comes together quickly and it packed with amazing flavor.