Easy Pasta Salad for a Crowd

This easy pasta salad for a crowd is a lifesaver for potlucks, picnics, and large gatherings. It uses simple ingredients and a basic vinaigrette that can be easily scaled up to feed any number of people. No fancy steps, just delicious and satisfying pasta salad!

• Keyword Focus: Pasta Salad for a Crowd, Easy Party Salad, Big Batch Pasta Salad, Simple Pasta Salad, Potluck Recipe.

Yields: 12-16 servings (easily scalable) Prep time: 20 minutes Cook time: 10-12 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs short pasta (rotini, penne, farfalle, or elbow macaroni)
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• 2 cucumbers, diced
• 2 green bell peppers, diced
• 1 large red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 (10-12 oz) jar black olives, sliced
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• For the Simple Vinaigrette:
  • 1 cup olive oil
  • ½ cup red wine vinegar
  • ¼ cup Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons dried Italian seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (optional, balances acidity)
  • 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)

Optional Hearty Additions (increase quantities as needed):

• Cubed mozzarella cheese
• Sliced pepperoni or salami
• Canned chickpeas or kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• Hard-boiled eggs, sliced

Equipment:

• Large pot
• Colander
• Extra-large mixing bowl

Instructions:

1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Transfer the cooled pasta to an extra-large mixing bowl.  
2. Prep the Vegetables: Prepare the cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, and red onion as directed. Slice the black olives. Add all the vegetables to the bowl with the pasta.
3. Add Cheese: Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta and vegetables.
4. Make the Vinaigrette: In a separate bowl or large jar, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, Italian seasoning, sugar (if using), salt, and pepper until well combined.
5. Dress the Salad: Pour the vinaigrette over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Toss gently but thoroughly to ensure everything is well coated.
6. Add Optional Ingredients (if using): Stir in any of the optional hearty additions.
7. Chill and Serve: Cover the pasta salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. For the best results, chill for at least 1-2 hours. Toss again before serving.