Lunch Lady Pasta Salad recipe - a childhood lunchroom favorite! Pasta salad made with Italian salad dressing, fresh broccoli, and mixed vegetables. Super easy to make and tastes great. Can make in advance and refrigerate until ready to serve. Great for cookouts and potlucks. Whip up a batch ASAP! You won’t be disappointed!
Bring a pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente pasta. Drain well.
In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, mixed vegetables, and chopped broccoli.
Pour Italian salad dressing over pasta and vegetables. Toss lightly to combine and coat evenly. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.
Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes:
I use rotini pasta in this recipe. Feel free to substitute your favorite pasta shape. Penne, fusilli, or farfalle pasta works great.
I use fresh broccoli in this recipe. The original recipe uses frozen chopped broccoli. If using frozen broccoli, make sure to thaw it and drain it well.
What can I add to the pasta salad?
cucumbers
red onion
green or red bell peppers
cherry tomatoes
black olives
fresh mozzarella cheese
shaved parmesan cheese
diced ham
mini pepperoni
salami
How long does pasta salad last? The pasta salad will keep 4 to 5 days in the refrigerator.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge.