Description
Italian Pasta Salad is a colorful and refreshing dish that brings together the vibrant flavors of summer. This salad features tender rotini pasta tossed with savory salami, creamy mozzarella, and a medley of fresh vegetables, all coated in a zesty homemade dressing. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or casual family dinners, this dish is not only visually appealing but also packed with flavor. Enjoy it as a hearty side or make it the centerpiece of your meal—it’s customizable and can be made ahead of time for convenience. With just 30 minutes of prep, you can impress your guests with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz dry rotini
- 10 oz hard salami
- 3 cups grape tomatoes
- 1 (6 oz) can black olives
- 2 cups bell peppers
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella pearls
- 1 cup olive oil (for dressing)
- Fresh herbs: parsley and basil
Instructions
- Cook rotini in salted boiling water until al dente; reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- Spread hot pasta on a baking sheet to cool for about 15 minutes.
- Chop vegetables and whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, mustard, honey, garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper for the dressing.
- In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta with salami, tomatoes, olives, bell peppers, mozzarella pearls, parmesan cheese, parsley, and basil.
- Pour dressing over the salad with reserved pasta water; toss to combine well.
- Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for enhanced flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (150g)
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 30mg