Description
A vibrant and flavorful Zesty Italian Pasta Salad that combines perfectly cooked rotini pasta with a tangy homemade Italian dressing, fresh vegetables, savory pepperoni and salami, and creamy mozzarella pearls. This easy-to-make salad is perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a refreshing side dish for any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Homemade Italian Dressing
- 1 recipe homemade Italian Dressing
Main Salad Ingredients
- 1 lb. rotini pasta
- 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
- 3.5-4 oz. pepperoni, quartered (about ¾ cup)
- 4 oz. sliced salami, quartered (about ¾ cup)
- 8 oz. fresh mozzarella pearls
- Parmesan cheese, for garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing: Make the homemade Italian dressing according to your preferred recipe. Once prepared, refrigerate it until ready to use. Before adding to the salad, give it a good shake to recombine all the flavors evenly.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook following the package directions until al dente, which is about 7 minutes. Drain the pasta thoroughly and transfer it to a large mixing bowl.
- Toss with Dressing: While the pasta is still warm, immediately pour half of the Italian dressing over it. Toss well to coat the pasta evenly, allowing it to absorb the wonderful flavors.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Add the halved cherry tomatoes, black olives, chopped orange and green bell peppers, finely diced red onion, chopped pepperoncini, quartered pepperoni and salami, and fresh mozzarella pearls to the bowl. Gently toss all ingredients together until well combined.
- Chill: Cover the bowl tightly and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld nicely. For best results, allow it to chill up to 24 hours to maximize flavor infusion.
- Finish and Serve: When ready to serve, toss the salad again with the remaining homemade Italian dressing. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese. Serve chilled and enjoy this zesty and refreshing pasta salad.
Notes
- For best flavor, prepare the salad a few hours in advance or the night before serving.
- You can substitute pepperoni and salami with other cured meats or keep it vegetarian by omitting them and adding extra vegetables.
- Use gluten-free pasta if you prefer a gluten-free version.
- Adjust the amount of dressing based on your personal preference for sauciness.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
