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My aunt brings this 3 ingredient dish to every gathering. It vanishes instantly and everyone practically begs for her secret.
Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the dressed pasta. Gently fold everything together, making sure the tomatoes are distributed throughout and the pasta is glossy. If the salad looks a bit dry, add the remaining 1/4 cup dressing and toss again.
Cover the container with its lid and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to 24 hours, to allow the pasta to absorb the dressing and the flavors to meld. The salad should look like spiral noodles coated in an oily herb dressing with bright red tomato pieces throughout.
Just before serving, give the pasta salad a good stir and taste. Add a splash more Italian dressing if needed to refresh the shine and flavor, then serve directly from the container or transfer to a serving bowl.
Variations & Tips
Because this salad is built on only three ingredients, the quality of each one really matters. Use a sturdy spiral pasta that holds its shape and a flavorful, oil-based Italian dressing with visible herbs.
For a slightly richer version that still respects the three-ingredient spirit, you can swap in a zesty Italian vinaigrette with extra garlic, or choose multicolored rotini for more visual interest. If you need to stretch the salad for a larger crowd, cook up to 16 ounces of pasta and increase the dressing proportionally; the tomatoes can stay at 2 cups or go up to 3 cups if you like it extra juicy.
For a make-ahead option, toss the warm pasta with just enough dressing to lightly coat, chill, and then add the tomatoes and more dressing a couple of hours before serving so they stay bright and firm.
Food safety tips: Cool the pasta quickly after draining to keep it out of the temperature “danger zone” (40°F–140°F) for too long. Once assembled, refrigerate the salad promptly and keep it chilled until serving. At gatherings, try not to leave the pasta salad at room temperature for more than 2 hours (1 hour if it’s very hot outside); after that, discard any leftovers that have been sitting out. Store properly chilled leftovers in the same covered container in the refrigerator and enjoy within 3–4 days, adding a small splash of fresh dressing to revive the texture if needed.
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