Description
This Zesty Italian Pasta Salad is a flavorful and colorful dish perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a refreshing meal. The homemade Italian dressing brings a tangy kick to the pasta, pepperoni, salami, fresh vegetables, and mozzarella pearls.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta Salad:
- 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 orange bell pepper, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- ½ cup finely diced red onion
- 2 tablespoons chopped pepperoncini
- 8 oz. fresh mozzarella pearls
Garnish:
- Parmesan and parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Italian Dressing: Make the dressing according to the recipe instructions and refrigerate until needed.
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the rotini pasta in salted water, then drain and transfer to a large bowl.
- Combine Ingredients: Pour half of the dressing over the warm pasta, add the remaining salad ingredients, and toss gently.
- Chill: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving. Chill the extra dressing separately.
- Serve: Just before serving, mix the salad with the remaining dressing and garnish with parsley and Parmesan.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 385 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: Zesty Italian Pasta Salad, Pasta Salad, Italian Dressing, Picnic Salad
