Description
This Italian Pasta Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish perfect for a light lunch or as a side dish at a summer barbecue. Loaded with fusilli pasta, chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, sweet peppers, pepperoncini peppers, kalamata olives, cheeses, and fresh baby spinach, all tossed in a zesty homemade Italian dressing.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta Salad
- 1 lb. fusilli pasta
- 1 (15-oz.) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup thinly sliced mini sweet peppers
- 3/4 cup sliced pepperoncini peppers
- 3/4 cup pitted kalamata olives, halved
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3/4 cup small cubed provolone or mozzarella cheese
- 2 to 3 cups fresh baby spinach, roughly chopped
Italian Dressing
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 2 Tbsp. pepperoncini brine (from the jar) or fresh lemon juice
- 3 Tbsp. minced shallots
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tsp. dried oregano
- 2 tsp. dried parsley
- 3/4 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Cook pasta in a large pot of generously salted water until al dente. Drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside.
- Prepare Italian Dressing: Combine olive oil, vinegar, pepperoncini brine, shallots, garlic, oregano, parsley, salt, and black pepper in a large liquid measuring cup or bowl; whisk well. Let sit while you slice and dice veggies for pasta salad.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine drained pasta, chickpeas, tomatoes, bell peppers, spinach, pepperoncini peppers, olives, Parmesan, and provolone. Pour dressing overtop and toss well to combine.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 1 to 2 hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
Notes
- This pasta salad tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.
- You can customize this salad by adding grilled chicken, salami, or other favorite ingredients.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: Italian Pasta Salad, Pasta Salad, Italian Dressing, Summer Salad, Vegetarian Salad
