Description
Italian Pasta Salad is a colorful, flavor-packed dish that’s perfect for any gathering. This refreshing salad combines tender rotini with savory salami, crunchy vegetables, and creamy cheeses, all drizzled with a tangy homemade dressing. It’s quick to prepare—ready in just 30 minutes—and can be customized to suit your taste. Whether you’re hosting a summer barbecue or planning weekday lunches, this versatile dish offers endless possibilities for deliciousness. Serve it chilled as a light main course, alongside grilled proteins, or as part of a buffet spread. Enjoy the vibrant flavors and textures that make this Italian Pasta Salad a true crowd-pleaser.
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 freshly grated parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley and basil for garnish
Instructions
- Cook rotini in salted boiling water until al dente (about 8-10 minutes). Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- Spread hot pasta on a baking sheet to cool for about 15 minutes.
- While cooling, chop vegetables and whisk together dressing ingredients: olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, Dijon mustard, honey, garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
- In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta with salami, tomatoes, olives, bell peppers, onions, mozzarella pearls, parmesan cheese, parsley, and basil.
- Toss with the dressing and reserved pasta water until well coated. Adjust seasoning if needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 30mg