A classic Italian pasta salad… but make it patriotic! Red, white & blue noodles tossed with cheese, pepperoni, olives and Italian dressing is perfect for your patriotic holiday cookout.
Red, white and blue themed dishes always makes the party more fun. What I love about this pasta salad is that you can easily dye the noodles yourself to match the theme. Plus, it’s simple to make and easy on the budget!
This pasta is best served cold and can be made ahead the day before.
If you love this patriotic recipe, try my American Flag Taco Dip for another side dish idea or red, white and blue cheesecake for dessert.
Ingredients
- Pasta: Use rotini, penne, cavatappi or another short pasta that holds dressing well.
- Salad Dressing: Store bought or homemade. Balsamic vinegar can also work.
- Salad Toppings: Sliced black olives, white cheddar cheese cubes, pepperoni quartered or mini pepperoni.
- Food coloring: Red and blue (gel or liquid).
How to Make Patriotic Pasta
- Cook the pasta according to package directions. Divide it evenly into three portions but do not drain.
- Add one portion to a pot with half of the boiling water with red food coloring and repeat with another portion, the rest of the boiling water and blue food coloring.
- Leave the third portion plain.
- Rinse all pasta under cold water and drain well.
- Combine the red, white, and blue pasta in a large bowl.
- Add in the cheese, olives, and pepperoni.
- Pour in the Italian dressing and toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
Recipe Tips
- Make Ahead: This pasta salad tastes best cold and can be made a day in advance.
- Extra Dressing: Add a splash more dressing before serving if the pasta absorbs it overnight.
- Save Time: Cook all pasta at once and dye it afterward in separate ziploc bags.
- Shortcut: Skip the food coloring and use pre-colored patriotic pasta if available.
- Customize: Change the colors to match any holiday or themed party!
Storing Leftovers
Cover and place leftovers in fridge for up to 3 days.
Recipe
Patriotic Italian Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 2 oz Sliced Black Olives
- 8 oz White Cheddar Cheese
- 2 Cups Italian Dressing
- 1 lb Noodles
- Red food coloring
- Blue Food Coloring
- 3 oz Pepperoni
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions. Divide it evenly into three portions but do not drain.
- Add one portion to a pot with half of the boiling water with red food coloring and repeat with another portion, the rest of the boiling water and blue food coloring.
- Leave the third portion plain.
- Rinse all pasta under cold water and drain well.
- Combine the red, white, and blue pasta in a large bowl.
- Add in the cheese, olives, and pepperoni.
- Pour in the Italian dressing and toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
Nutrition Disclosure
Nutritional facts are estimates and are provided as a courtesy to the reader. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. Nutritional values are calculated via a third party. Changing ingredients, amounts or cooking technique will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.
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