Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz of cooked rotini or fusilli pasta
- 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup of black olives, sliced
- 1 cup of shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese
- ½ cup of chopped bell peppers (orange and green for a spooky vibe)
- ¼ cup of chopped red onions
- 1 cup of cooked and shredded chicken or tofu (optional for added protein)
- ½ cup of Italian dressing or your favorite vinaigrette
- Food coloring or natural coloring (green, purple, or orange) for a spooky effect
- Edible decorations like mini candy eyeballs or themed toppers for that extra scare factor
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in boiling salted water according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and set aside.
- If you want your pasta to have a spooky color, add a few drops of natural food coloring or a small amount of gel food coloring to the cooked pasta and toss to evenly coat. Allow it to sit for a few minutes, then drain any excess coloring.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, black olives, chopped peppers, red onions, and shredded cheese. For added protein, stir in cooked chicken or tofu if desired.
- Pour the Italian dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. For a fun Halloween twist, add a few drops of food coloring to the dressing before mixing.
- Top with mini candy eyeballs or themed edible decorations to elevate the Halloween vibe. Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before serving to enhance flavors.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Keep decorations separate if you want them to stay fresh and colorful.
- Add the final dressing just before serving to prevent sogginess.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing, Chilling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Optional: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1 cup)
- Calories: 220 Kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 30mg