Description
A vibrant and flavorful Zesty Italian Pasta Salad made with rotini pasta, assorted cured meats, fresh vegetables, mozzarella pearls, and tossed in a homemade Italian dressing. Perfectly chilled to meld flavors, this salad is ideal for gatherings, potlucks, or a refreshing meal any time of year.
Ingredients
Italian Dressing
- 1 recipe homemade Italian Dressing (prepare according to the original recipe, refrigerate until use)
Pasta Salad
- 1 lb rotini pasta
- 3.5-4 oz pepperoni, quartered (about ¾ cup)
- 4 oz sliced salami, quartered (about ¾ cup)
- 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
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella pearls
- Parmesan cheese, for garnish
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Italian Dressing: Follow the recipe for homemade Italian dressing and refrigerate until ready to use. Shake well before using to recombine the ingredients.
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and transfer to a large serving bowl while warm.
- Toss pasta with dressing: Pour half of the prepared Italian dressing over the warm pasta and mix thoroughly to coat evenly.
- Add remaining ingredients: Add the quartered pepperoni, salami, halved cherry tomatoes, black olives, chopped orange and green bell peppers, diced red onion, chopped pepperoncini, and fresh mozzarella pearls to the pasta. Toss gently to combine all ingredients.
- Chill the salad: For best flavor, cover and chill the pasta salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, and up to 24 hours. Keep the remaining dressing refrigerated separately.
- Final toss and garnish: Before serving, toss the pasta salad again with the remaining Italian dressing to refresh flavors. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley for a finishing touch.
Notes
- Use quality deli meats for the best flavor and texture.
- Chilling the salad allows the flavors to meld beautifully; don’t skip the resting time.
- Fresh mozzarella pearls add a creamy texture contrasting with the crisp vegetables and zesty dressing.
- Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consume within 2 days for optimal freshness.
- You can customize the salad by adding or omitting ingredients like cucumbers or artichoke hearts based on preference.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian-American
