Italian Dressing Pasta Salad with Parmesan

My mom always made this Italian dressing pasta salad with Parmesan cheese when we were growing up!  This gluten-free pasta salad is  full of fresh veggies and makes an awesome vegetarian potluck dish to bring to a party.

Before I ever liked vegetables, I remember sneaking bites of this Italian dressing pasta salad from the refrigerator.

My mom would chop the bell peppers and onion very small, and somehow my taste buds did not seem to mind.

For just about every potluck, summer party, or church function, I knew what my mom was making.

This Italian dressing pasta salad was always one of the first dishes to be devoured and often times requested for the next gathering.

When Cohl was doing his 260-mile canoe race at the beginning of June I had to come up with a lot of meals that would be tasty, easy-to-consume, and could keep for a few days in a cooler.

It had been a few years since I had enjoyed this delightful pasta salad, but I had a feeling it would be a hit.  I used a brown rice gluten-free pasta and one of our favorite Italian dressings.  The boys loved it!!

What Kind of Gluten-Free Pasta Should I Use?

Since then I have experimented with numerous gluten-free kinds of pasta and have found corn blends, rice blends, and even a lentil & quinoa pasta blend!  Some of my favorite brands of gluten-free pastas for this Italian dressing pasta salads are:

• Ancient Harvest Quinoa Rotelle Pasta 
• Jovial Brown Rice Fusilli Pasta
• Barilla Fusilli Pasta

I would love to hear if you make this Italian dressing pasta salad with Parmesan cheese!!

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Italian Dressing Pasta Salad with Parmesan Cheese

My mom always made this Italian dressing pasta salad with Parmesan cheese when we were growing up!  It is full of fresh veggies and makes an awesome vegetarian and gluten-free potluck dish to bring to a party.

Course Dinner, lunch, Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine American, Italian

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Servings 6 servings

Calories 360 kcal

Ingredients

• 1 12-oz package gluten-free pasta cooked according to package directions
• 1 ½ cups bell pepper cut into 1-inch pieces
• ½ cup red onion cut into 1-inch slices
• ¾ c grated Parmesan cheese*
• 1 cup Italian dressing*
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp pepper
• 4 cups fresh spinach

Instructions

1. In a large bowl combine all ingredients except for the spinach. Toss to completely coat the pasta and veggies with the Italian dressing.
2. Chill pasta salad for at least two hours, or overnight.

3. Just before serving, add spinach, additional salt and pepper to taste, and top with additional Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Recipe Notes

*If you want to make this pasta salad vegan, use a vegan Parmesan cheese and dressing.

Nutrition Facts

Italian Dressing Pasta Salad with Parmesan Cheese

Amount Per Serving

Calories 360 Calories from Fat 117

% Daily Value*

Fat 13g20%

Saturated Fat 3g19%

Cholesterol 11mg4%

Sodium 822mg36%

Potassium 238mg7%

Carbohydrates 49g16%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 6g7%

Protein 11g22%

Vitamin A 3165IU63%

Vitamin C 53.4mg65%

Calcium 166mg17%

Iron 1.6mg9%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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