Description
The Ultimate Pasta Salad is a vibrant and refreshing dish perfect for summer picnics, potlucks, or a nutritious family dinner. Packed with a variety of fresh vegetables, rich cheeses, savory meats, and tossed in a homemade Italian dressing, it’s a dish that promises flavor in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound uncooked rotini pasta
- 3 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese balls, halved
- 1 lb salami or summer sausage, cubed
- 3/4 cup kalamata olives, sliced
- 3/4 cup pepperoncini, optional
- 1/2 cup red onion, sliced
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- For the Dressing:
- 1 1/2 cups olive oil
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tablespoons coarse sea salt
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons dry oregano
- 2 teaspoons dry basil
- Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions in salted water until al dente. Rinse under cold water and drain.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, salami, olives, pepperoncini (if using), red onion, and parsley.
- For the dressing, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, water, salt, garlic, sugar, oregano, basil, and black pepper in a bowl or shake in a jar until well combined.
- Pour dressing over pasta mixture and toss to coat evenly. Adjust seasonings as needed.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight to allow flavors to meld.
Notes
- Pasta salad can be customized with additional vegetables or proteins.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 1250mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 45mg