Description
This Italian Pasta Salad is a fresh and flavorful dish perfect for a quick lunch or a side at any gathering. Made with al dente rotini, crisp vegetables, savory salami, and a tangy homemade dressing, this salad offers a delightful blend of textures and tastes. It’s easy to prepare, served chilled, and garnished with fresh basil for an aromatic finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Vegetables
- 12 oz rotini pasta (or any short pasta)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- ½ cup red bell pepper, diced
- ½ cup yellow bell pepper, diced
- ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
- ½ cup black olives, sliced
Cheese and Meat
- ½ cup mozzarella pearls (or diced fresh mozzarella)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup salami, diced (optional)
Dressing
- â…“ cup olive oil
- 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Garnish
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil the rotini pasta according to the package instructions until it reaches al dente texture. Once cooked, drain the pasta and rinse thoroughly under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta down.
- Mix the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta with cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, red and yellow bell peppers, finely chopped red onion, sliced black olives, mozzarella pearls, grated Parmesan cheese, and diced salami if using. Toss gently to mix the ingredients evenly.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper until the dressing is well emulsified and flavorful.
- Combine and Chill: Pour the dressing over the mixed pasta salad and toss thoroughly until everything is evenly coated with the dressing. Garnish the salad with freshly chopped basil. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Notes
- The salad can be prepared a few hours in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the salami or substitute with a plant-based alternative.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make it suitable for gluten-sensitive diets.
- Adjust the salt and pepper to taste depending on your preference.
- Adding fresh lemon juice can brighten the flavors further if desired.
