Description
Zesty Italian Pasta Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish that brings a burst of freshness to any meal, whether it’s a summer picnic or a holiday gathering. This delightful salad features rotini pasta tossed with an array of colorful vegetables, savory meats, and a homemade Italian dressing that elevates every bite. Its versatility makes it suitable as a side or main dish, while its eye-catching presentation ensures it will be the star of your table. Easy to prepare and even better when made ahead of time, this pasta salad is a must-try for anyone seeking a delicious and refreshing addition to their culinary repertoire.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb. rotini pasta
- 3.5–4 oz. pepperoni (quartered)
- 4 oz. sliced salami (quartered)
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1 cup black olives (halved)
- 1 orange bell pepper (chopped)
- 1 green bell pepper (chopped)
- ½ cup finely diced red onion
- 2 tbsp chopped pepperoncini
- 8 oz. fresh mozzarella pearls
- Homemade Italian dressing
Instructions
- Prepare the homemade Italian dressing and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Cook rotini pasta in salted water according to package instructions; drain and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- Pour half of the dressing over warm pasta and toss gently.
- Add remaining ingredients: pepperoni, salami, cherry tomatoes, black olives, bell peppers, red onion, pepperoncini, and mozzarella pearls. Toss until well combined.
- Chill the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving; store extra dressing separately in the fridge.
- Just before serving, toss with remaining dressing and garnish with parsley and Parmesan cheese.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No cooking required apart from pasta
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 30mg