Ingredients
Scale
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