This easy summer Italian Pasta Salad recipe is fresh and flavorful-- Whether for a picnic or potluck, it's sure to be a crowd pleaser! This post is sponsored by Stella® but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

If there is one season of eating that I look forward to every year it's summer, when everything is light and fresh.

Chilled pasta salad is one of my all-time favorite summer side dishes because it's so easy to make and pairs perfectly with everything from grilled burgers and hot dogs to fried chicken and sandwiches.

One of my best (and easiest!) pasta salad recipes is chilled Italian pasta salad made with tri-colored rotini, Stella Fresh Mozzarella Cheese, fresh tomatoes, black olives, artichoke hearts and Italian dressing.

I love making a big batch of Italian Pasta Salad for the week to munch on for lunch or to use as an easy side dish. The recipe keeps for days, but it never lasts that long because it's so delicious.

The star of this salad has to be Stella Fresh Mozzarella Cheese because it offers a fresh, milky flavor and soft, delicate texture, reminiscent of the fresh mozzarella originally handmade in the Italian countryside.

Easy Italian Pasta Salad Recipe

Italian Pasta Salad Ingredients:

1 box (120z) tri-colored rotini, cooked and drained
8oz Stella Fresh Mozzarella Cheese, diced
¼ cup black olives, sliced
1 tomato, diced
½ cup marinated artichoke hearts, cut up
1 cup Italian dressing

How to make Italian Pasta Salad:

1. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients.

2. Gently stir until pasta salad is coated with Italian dressing.

3. Chill until ready to serve.

With Stella cheeses, you can transform any traditional dish or cheese plate into a gourmet experience. Stella cheeses are flavorful and combine old-world craftsmanship with rich dairy heritage, dating back to 1923.