Description
Italian Pasta Salad is a colorful and flavorful dish that brings the essence of Italy right to your table. Perfect for summer picnics, family barbecues, or simply as a delicious meal prep option, this salad combines tender rotini pasta with savory salami, fresh vegetables, and two types of cheese. Tossed in a zesty homemade dressing, each bite bursts with flavor and freshness. Easy to prepare and highly customizable, this Italian Pasta Salad can be served as a side or a main dish, making it an impressive addition to any gathering.
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 chopped bell peppers
- 1/2 cup chopped red onion
- 8 oz. fresh mozzarella pearls
- 3 oz. freshly grated parmesan
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/3 cup chopped fresh basil
Instructions
- Cook rotini in salted boiling water until al dente; reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- Spread the hot pasta on a baking sheet to cool for about 15 minutes.
- Chop vegetables and whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, dijon mustard, honey, garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- Combine cooled pasta with salami, tomatoes, olives, bell peppers, red onion, mozzarella pearls, parmesan cheese, parsley, and basil in a large bowl.
- Pour dressing over the salad along with reserved pasta water; toss well to combine.
- Serve immediately or chill for 1–2 hours for enhanced flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (250g)
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 30mg