Salad Supreme Pasta Salad, is a colorful, flavorful medley that combines pasta and veggies with a slightly spicy seasoning. Delightful for potlucks, barbecues or just a quick weeknight supper, this chilled salad is guaranteed to please!
Looking for more salad recipes? Look at my Italian Grinder Salad (Chopped Sub Salad).
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Best Pasta Salad Recipe
I’ve always said the best recipes are those associated with memories, and as far as memories go Salad Supreme Pasta Salad is near and dear to my heart. The first time I prepared it was for a casual weekend gathering with my husband, and we were quickly enamored with its punchy flavors and satisfying crunchiness. Since then, it’s become a frequent dish in our home, something I make when I want something easy, delicious and sure to please.
I’m a food blogger and a wife, and I love to make meals that bring people together, and this pasta salad does just that. Packed with flavor from the tangy Italian dressing, fresh vegetables, and its signature Salad Supreme seasoning, it is a hard side dish to resist. Every bite takes me back to summer cookouts, family dinners and those tiny moments that make life fly by.
What I love most about this recipe, and why I consider it to be the best, is its versatility and that it never fails. No matter if I’m preparing it for a picnic, a make-ahead lunch or an easy last-minute dinner option, it always comes out perfect. It’s a testament to the fact that simple ingredients can yield something quite wonderful when used wisely.
For additional pasta salad recipes, check out my Ranch Pasta Salad is also excellent choice.
Main Ingredients
- Rotini pasta – The base of the dish, rotini’s spiral shape is great for catching the dressing and seasoning, meaning every bite is full of flavor. The chewy, al dente nature of the pasta renders the salad both satisfying and substantial.
- Carrot – Adds a little natural sweetness and crunch (and color) to the salad. They complement the tanginess of the dressing and add a fresh, crisp bite.
- Cucumber — Fresh and crisp, cucumber adds a watery crunch that plays nicely with the richness of the cheese and the strong flavors of the seasoning. It also helps the salad feel bright and not too heavy.
- Tomato — Fresh, juicy and slightly tangy, tomatoes also add a bright pop of flavor that helps cut through the heaviness of the cheeses. Their inherent sweetness plays off the rest of the dish, brightening each mouthful with opportunity and surprise.
- Pepper.
- Mozzarella — Soft and creamy, mozzarella tones down the tanginess of the dressing, and contributes a decadent, melt-in-your-mouth texture. It goes perfectly with the fresh vegetables and makes every bite more enjoyable.
- Parmesan — Aged and rich in umami, parmesan deepens with a nutty, salty depth. It deepens the flavor, tying everything together with savory punctuation.
- Supreme seasoning — The star of the dish, this seasoning mix gives the salad its signature, bold, slightly tart and savory flavor. It brings up the flavor of every ingredient, so that what might be a simple pasta salad becomes something special to eat.
- Italian seasoning — A fragrant blend of herbs such as oregano, basil and thyme that gives the salad its signature Mediterranean flavor. It just adds that extra depth to the dish that really makes it taste balanced and whole.
- Onion.
Substitutions & Variations
- For a twist on this dish, replace rotini with bowtie, penne, fusilli, whole wheat or chickpea pasta for nutrition and variety.
- Swap out mozzarella for feta, cheddar, provolone, or even dairy-free substitutes like nutritional yeast.
- Swap in or add vegetables like zucchini, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, artichokes or roasted red peppers.
- Use seasonings like Cajun, Greek or smoked paprika and replace the Italian dressing with a homemade vinaigrette.
- Toss in protein choices such as grilled chicken, shrimp, tuna, chickpeas, white beans, hard-boiled eggs or smoked chicken.
Instructions
- Cook the pasta — Bring a pot of salted water to a boil, add rotini pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, drain and rinse under cold running water to stop the cooking, cool it down.
- Prep the vegetables – Cut the carrot, cucumber, tomato, pepper, and onion into bite-sized pieces for a perfect texture balance in each bite;
- Mix it all up — In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta with the chopped vegetables, mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
- Season and dress — Evenly sprinkle the Salad Supreme seasoning and the Italian seasoning all over the salad; add in the Italian dressing; then toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Chill and serve – Cover, refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to meld flavors, then serve, dig in and enjoy!
Pro Tips
- After cooking, rinse the pasta with cold water to keep it from becoming mushy, and to allow it to better absorb the dressing.
- And let the salad sit at least 30 minutes (or overnight) before serving, for its flavors to deepen, for the seasoning to soak through.
- Give the salad a toss before serving to redistribute any dressing that may have collected at the bottom of the bowl.
- The cheese should be added last to keep it from getting too soft or clump together, which is especially important if the salad will be left to sit for a time.
- Adjust seasoning and dressing just before serving, since pasta has a habit of absorbing flavors as it sits — a little bit extra can keep it fresh and flavorful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Leftover pasta salad will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days. Before serving, stir well and add additional dressing, if necessary, to revive the flavors.
Don’t overcook the pasta (your mushy noodles won’t hold together well in the salad — always cook al dente). Be sure to rinse the pasta under cold water, though — this halts the cooking process and prevents it from gumming up together. Finally, don’t add all the dressing in one go; pasta absorbs liquid over time, so save some to mix in before serving for maximum flavor and texture.
Yes, you can prepare pasta salad ahead of time, and it tastes even better after a few hours as the flavors combine. For the best texture, keep it in the fridge and drizzle a little extra dressing before serving to revive the flavors.
If you tried this Zesty Salad Supreme Pasta Salad or any other recipe on my website, please feel free to leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. And remember to tag me on Instagram!
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Recipe
Salad Supreme Pasta Salad (Zesty)
INGREDIENTS
- 12 oz rotini pasta
- 1 cup Tomatoes chopped
- 1 cup cucumber
- ½ cup bell pepper
- ½ cup carrot grated or finely chopped
- ¼ red onion finely diced
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese grated
- 2 tbsp Salad Supreme seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup Italian dressing
INSTRUCTIONS
- Cook the pasta — Bring a pot of salted water to a boil, add rotini pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, drain and rinse under cold running water to stop the cooking, cool it down.
- Prep the vegetables – Cut the carrot, cucumber, tomato, pepper, and onion into bite-sized pieces for a perfect texture balance in each bite;
- Mix it all up — In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta with the chopped vegetables, mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
- Season and dress — Evenly sprinkle the Salad Supreme seasoning and the Italian seasoning all over the salad; add in the Italian dressing; then toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Chill and serve – Cover, refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to meld flavors, then serve, dig in and enjoy!
Shelby Howard says
'Supreme' really does describe this pasta salad well! It’s not only beautiful but also healthy and filling. Perfect for meal prep as well; I could see myself enjoying this all week long—definitely a must-try recipe!
Scarlett Bailey says
I absolutely adore pasta salads, and this Zesty Salad Supreme Pasta Salad sounds like a total winner! The combination of fresh veggies with that zesty Italian dressing is just perfect for summer gatherings. Can’t wait to try it out at my next cookout!
Jordan Howard says
'Supreme Pasta Salad' sounds like such a fun dish to serve at gatherings! I love how you can adapt it based on what’s in season or what you have at home. It would be a delightful addition to any summer table.
Bethany Hughes says
I'm all about easy recipes, and this Zesty Salad Supreme Pasta Salad fits the bill perfectly! It's colorful and packed with flavors. I'm thinking of trying it with some grilled chicken on top; what do you think?
Blair Turner says
Yum! This pasta salad seems like the ideal dish for any gathering. I love that you can customize it with your favorite veggies or cheese. Can’t wait to whip this up for my next picnic; it’ll surely be a hit!
Rachel Harris says
This recipe has my mouth watering! I love how easy it is to throw together, yet it looks so vibrant and delicious. I’m definitely adding McCormick Salad Supreme Seasoning to my shopping list because who doesn’t love a flavor boost?
Lauren Bennett says
'Zesty' is right! This recipe looks simple enough that even kitchen novices can tackle it easily. Love how it’s great for potlucks or just casual dinners at home. Definitely planning on making this soon—thanks for sharing!
Lillian Torres says
What a fantastic idea for summer meals! Pasta salads are so versatile, and this one really hits the spot with all those colorful veggies. Plus, I appreciate that it's vegetarian-friendly; perfect for everyone at the potluck!
Joy Carter says
This pasta salad is calling my name! The combination of rotini pasta and fresh ingredients sounds incredibly refreshing. I might even add some olives or grilled veggies to make it my own—endless possibilities here!