Description
Italian Pasta Salad is a vibrant and refreshing dish that perfectly captures the essence of summer. This delightful salad combines al dente rotini pasta with savory salami, fresh vegetables, and two types of cheese, all coated in a zesty homemade dressing. Ideal for picnics, barbecues, or quick family meals, this pasta salad is not only easy to prepare but also customizable to suit your taste preferences. With its colorful ingredients and bold flavors, it promises to be a crowd-pleaser at any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz dry rotini
- 10 oz hard salami, chopped
- 3 cups grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 (6 oz) can black olives, sliced
- 2 cups bell peppers, chopped
- 1/2 cup red onion, chopped
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella pearls
- 3 oz grated parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley and basil
- 1 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp dijon mustard
- 1 tsp honey
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Cook rotini in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- Spread cooked pasta on a baking sheet to cool for about 15 minutes.
- Chop salami and vegetables while pasta cools.
- Whisk together dressing ingredients: olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, mustard, honey, garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
- In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta with salami, tomatoes, olives, bell peppers, onion, mozzarella pearls, parmesan cheese, parsley, and basil.
- Pour dressing over the salad along with reserved pasta water; toss to combine.
- Adjust seasoning as needed and serve immediately or chill for enhanced flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 25mg