Layered Pasta Salad is a colorful and refreshing dish perfect for any occasion, featuring layers of pasta, fresh vegetables, and creamy dressing.
Author:Alex Lee
Prep Time:20 minutes
Cook Time:10 minutes
Total Time:30 minutes
Yield:8 servings 1x
Category:Salad
Method:Layering
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
8 ounces pasta (such as rotini or penne), cooked, rinsed, and cooled
1 cup ranch dressing or Italian dressing
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cucumber, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
1 can (15 ounces) sweet corn, drained
1 can (15 ounces) black olives, drained and sliced
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup frozen peas, thawed
4 hard-boiled eggs, sliced
2 cups baby spinach or mixed greens
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Prepare the Ingredients: Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Rinse under cold water and set aside to cool. Gather and prepare the rest of your ingredients as listed.
Layer the Salad: In a large, clear bowl (for visual effect), begin layering your salad. Start with a layer of cooked pasta. Drizzle some of the dressing over the pasta to lightly coat it.
Add Vegetables and Cheese: Continue layering by adding the peas, then the corn, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, and red onion. Sprinkle each layer lightly with salt and pepper.
Add Olives and Cheese: Next, add a layer of sliced olives followed by a generous sprinkling of shredded cheddar cheese.
Add Greens and Eggs: Top with a layer of baby spinach or mixed greens. Arrange the sliced hard-boiled eggs over the top.
Final Touches: Drizzle the remaining dressing over the salad. For best flavor, cover and refrigerate the salad for at least an hour to allow the flavors to meld together.
Serve and Enjoy: Serve the salad chilled. Mix slightly before serving to distribute the dressing, or let guests dig in to get a bit of every layer in their servings.
Notes
Feel free to substitute any of the vegetables with your favorites or whatever is in season.
This salad can be prepared a day in advance for a quick meal or side dish.
For a healthier option, use a low-calorie dressing or make your own.