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–+ servings
Creamette's Rainbow Rotini Salad
Creamette’s Rainbow Rotini Salad is a colorful, fresh pasta salad featuring tender tri-color rotini pasta tossed with a medley of crisp vegetables, savory diced turkey ham, and briny olives. The mix of red peppers, green onions, radishes, kohlrabi, and celery creates a vibrant, crunchy base that’s perfectly complemented by zesty Italian dressing. This easy-to-make salad is ideal for picnics, potlucks, and summer lunches, offering a refreshing, satisfying balance of textures and flavors. Its make-ahead nature allows the dressing to infuse the pasta with tangy, herby notes, making it even better after chilling.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chilling Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Course salads
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 210 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz tri-color rotini pasta
  • ¼ cup green pepper (chopped fine)
  • ⅛-¼ cup green onions (sliced)
  • ⅛ cup radishes (sliced thin)
  • 1 kohlrabi (small, peeled and chopped, about 1/4 cup)
  • ½ cup celery (chopped)
  • ¼ cup stuffed green olives (chopped)
  • 1¼ cups turkey ham (diced )
  • ½ cup Kraft Zesty Italian dressing (+ ⅛ cup)

Instructions
 

Step 1: Cook Pasta

  • Cook 1/2 package of rotini according to package directions.
  • Drain and rinse under cold water.
  • Place in a large mixing bowl.

Step 2: Prepare Vegetables & Ham

  • Chop green pepper, green onions, celery, olives, and kohlrabi.
  • Thinly slice radishes.
  • Dice turkey ham.

Step 3: Combine Ingredients

  • Add prepared vegetables, olives, and turkey ham to the pasta.

Step 4: Dress Salad

  • Pour in 1/2 cup plus 1/8 cup Kraft Zesty Italian dressing.
  • Toss to coat evenly.

Step 5: Chill

  • Cover and refrigerate until well chilled, about 1 hour, to allow flavors to blend.

Tips

  • Substitute turkey ham with regular ham or cooked chicken
  • Add sliced black olives for extra briny flavor
  • Use whole-wheat rotini for added fiber
  • Chill overnight for best flavor development
  • Toss with extra dressing just before serving if dry
  • Add shredded cheddar or mozzarella for a creamier version
  • Include cherry tomatoes for added color
  • Serve over lettuce for a lighter presentation
  • Great as a make-ahead potluck dish

Nutrition

Calories: 210kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 9gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 3.2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6.5gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 590mgPotassium: 220mgFiber: 2gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 350IUVitamin C: 18mgCalcium: 28mgIron: 1.2mg
Keyword chilled salad, make-ahead, pasta salad, potluck favorite, retro cooking, summer salad, vintage recipe
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