Stunning Red, White & Blue Pasta Salad For 4 July Parties
This Red, White, and Blue Pasta Salad is one of those easy, simple, and delicious recipes that just works every time.
It’s bright, fresh, and full of bold colors and flavor—perfect for summer holidays or any casual gathering. I’ve been making a version of this for years, and it always gets compliments (and requests for the recipe). You can toss it together in under 30 minutes, and it holds up beautifully if you need to make it ahead.
With tender pasta, juicy cherry tomatoes, pepperoni slices and creamy mozzarella, it’s a little unexpected but totally addictive. It’s a great dish to bring when you want something that stands out on the table but doesn’t take hours in the kitchen.
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Equipment You Will Need
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Knife
- Large mixing bowl
- Zip top bags
Red White & Blue Pasta Salad Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8
Ingredients
16 ounces rotini pasta
2 cups cherry tomatoes, cut in halves
8 ounces mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
3/4 cup pepperoni slices, cut into quarters
1/2 cup sliced black olives
16 ounces Italian dressing
Red food coloring
Blue food coloring
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons water, divided
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta – Boil the noodles according to the package directions. Once cooked, drain and rinse under cold water. Set aside one-third of the pasta in a large bowl — this will remain plain for the “white” portion.
- Prepare the Food Coloring Bags – Add 3–4 drops of red food coloring and 1 tablespoon of water to one zip-top bag. Repeat with blue food coloring in a second bag.
- Divide and Color the Pasta – Divide the remaining pasta equally between the red and blue bags. Seal the bags tightly and gently knead until the noodles are evenly coated. If needed, add another drop of food coloring and a splash of water to reach your desired shade.
- Set the Color – Let the red and blue pasta sit for about 5 minutes to allow the color to set. Then rinse and drain both batches thoroughly. Drizzle a tablespoon of olive oil over the plain pasta to help prevent the colors from bleeding when mixed.
- Combine the Pasta – In a large mixing bowl, combine the red, white, and blue pasta. Gently toss to mix the colors evenly.
- Add the Mix-Ins – Add the cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, pepperoni, and black olives to the bowl.
- Dress the Salad – Pour in the full bottle of Italian dressing and toss until everything is well coated.
- Chill and Serve – Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Party Food & Drinks
Step-By-Step Process
This festive pasta salad is perfect for Fourth of July picnics, Memorial Day cookouts, or any laid-back summer gathering. It’s colorful, refreshing, and a guaranteed conversation starter. If you enjoy fun twists on classic dishes, more crowd-pleasing recipes are waiting for you on the blog. Go explore and find your next 4th of July party favorite!
Looking for more patriotic-themed bites? Try Red White & Blue Charcuterie Cups & Red White & Blue Shortcake Cups—perfect complements to this salad!
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