Italian Dressing Pasta Salad
This Italian Dressing Pasta Salad is a delightful mix of pasta, savory meats, and vibrant vegetables, perfect for any occasion, easy to prepare, and delicious to enjoy.
Ingredients
Pasta Salad Ingredients
- 1 recipe homemade Italian Dressing
- 1 lb rotini pasta
- 3.5-4 oz pepperoni, quartered (about ¾ cup)
- 4 oz sliced salami, quartered (about ¾ cup)
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup black olives, drained and halved
- 1 each orange bell pepper, chopped
- 1 each green bell pepper, chopped
- ½ cup finely diced red onion
- 2 tablespoons chopped pepperoncini
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella pearls
- to taste Parmesan for garnish
- to taste Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
Preparation
- Begin by preparing the Italian dressing according to your favored recipe.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add the rotini pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions.
- Once ready, pour pasta into a colander to drain and rinse with cold water.
Combining Salad Ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled rotini pasta with the quartered pepperoni and salami.
- Add in halved cherry tomatoes and black olives, gently mixing not to break the tomatoes.
- Fold in the chopped bell peppers and finely diced red onion.
- Incorporate the chopped pepperoncini and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Add fresh mozzarella pearls, gently folding them into the salad.
Final Assembly
- Pour your homemade Italian dressing over the mixture and ensure everything is well-coated.
- Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan and chopped parsley.
- Serve the salad chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to three days. For best results, add mozzarella just before serving to keep it fresh.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 12gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 4gSodium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2g
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!