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This is THE BEST Pasta Salad! I might be a little biased because this is my mom’s recipe and I’ve been eating it for more than 30 years. This pasta salad is filled with cheese, veggies, seasonings, pasta and is tossed in a zesty Italian dressing. So easy and superbly delicious!

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I really don’t know why this pasta salad is so good. It’s very easy and made with simple ingredients. I always thought I loved it so much because my mom made it for every occasion and we ate it all the time growing up. I would get so excited when there was a family get-together that called for a pasta salad dish.

My husband, and anyone’s who’s tried it, also raves about it’s deliciousness, so I realized it’s not just me. This combination of rotini pasta, chunky cheeses, veggies, zesty Italian dressing and seasoning is just amazing! I personally think it comes from the seasoning which is the McCormick’s Salad Supreme Seasoning mix.

Salad Supreme is the ultimate pasta salad seasoning. It contains paprika, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, celery seed, garlic powder, pepper, cayenne pepper, and Romano cheese. I’m pretty sure it’s made with a sprinkle of magic too. 😉

What you’ll need to make the best Pasta Salad Ever

• 16 Oz box rotini (or bowtie) pasta
• 1 cup halved grape or cherry tomatoes 
• 1 cup chopped (small) raw broccoli florets or frozen/thawed broccoli, chopped small
• 1 bell pepper, diced 
• 2 cups cubed cheese, I personally use a combo of cheddar, Colby Jack, and Swiss 
• 3 tbsp McCormick Perfect Pinch Salad Supreme Seasoning 
• 1 bottle Wishbone Zesty Robusto Italian Dressing 

Variations

You may have noticed that this pasta salad is meat-less. That’s how it’s always been made, so I’ve never missed the meat. However you could definitely add chunks of pepperoni, salami, turkey, or any other deli type meats.

You can change up the vegetables in this recipe, use anything you like. Try adding pepperoncini, sliced olives, shredded carrots, just as some ideas. Use any cheese you like. This is a great base recipe to start with and to add your personal twist.

How to make it

Cook your pasta in salted water according to the package directions. Drain and rinse in cold water.

Chop all the veggies and cheese into bite size pieces. Combine the vegetables, cheese, and drained pasta in a large mixing bowl.

Sprinkle in the Salad Supreme and add 3/4 of the bottle of Italian dressing. Give it a good mix.

Refrigerate at least 1 hour, overnight is best though so the flavors get a chance to meld together and the dressing soaks in. I usually prepare this pasta salad the day before I need it.

Before serving add in the remaining dressing and mix.

Perfect as a summer side dish for any occasion!

Did you enjoy this recipe? Take a picture and tag me @StephGigliotti on social media and #StephRealLife. I would absolutely love to see your finished dish! Please leave a 5-star rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comment section.  

Homemade McCormick’s Salad Supreme

If you want to make your own seasoning blend or cannot find it locally, you can easily make it yourself!

Homemade Salad Supreme Seasoning

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese (use the shelf-stable kind for longest storage)
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
• 1 teaspoon celery seed
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for a little kick)

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Instructions:

1. In a small bowl or spice jar, combine all ingredients.
2. Use 3 tablespoons for the pasta salad recipe.
3. Mix well and store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 6 months.
4. Shake or stir before each use, as the Parmesan may settle.
5. For a dairy-free version, omit the Parmesan or substitute with nutritional yeast.

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