Fresh Italian Pasta Salad (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ For the Pasta Mix
01 -
16 oz rotini pasta, cooked until just tender
02 -
10 oz good quality salami, cut into bite-sized quarters
03 -
1 cup crisp English cucumber, quartered and sliced
04 -
2 cups sweet grape tomatoes, cut in half
05 -
1½ cups colorful bell peppers, diced into small chunks
06 -
½ cup red onion, finely chopped
07 -
8 oz black olives, drained and sliced
08 -
8 oz fresh mozzarella pearls
09 -
½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
10 -
½ cup fresh parsley, roughly chopped
→ For the Italian Dressing
11 -
1¼ cup good olive oil
12 -
3 tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
13 -
1½ tbsp Italian seasoning blend
14 -
2 tsp sugar, to balance flavors
15 -
3 tbsp red wine vinegar
16 -
2 tsp fresh garlic, finely minced
17 -
1 tsp Dijon mustard
18 -
½ tsp salt
19 -
½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
# Instructions:
01 -
Fill a large pot with water, add a good pinch of salt, and bring to a boil. Cook your rotini pasta following the package directions until it's just al dente - still with a little bite to it. Drain it in a colander and give it a good rinse with cold water to stop the cooking and cool it down. Set aside while you prep the rest.
02 -
In a medium bowl, combine your olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, Italian seasoning, sugar, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper. Whisk everything together until it's well combined and looking smooth. Set this flavor-packed dressing aside for now.
03 -
Get out your biggest mixing bowl and add in your cooled pasta along with all those colorful ingredients - the salami, cucumber, tomatoes, peppers, red onion, olives, mozzarella pearls, parmesan, and fresh parsley. Pour your homemade dressing all over and give everything a good mix until all the ingredients are evenly coated.
04 -
Pop your pasta salad in the fridge to chill thoroughly. When you're ready to eat, give it a quick stir and taste for seasoning - add a little extra salt and pepper if needed. Serve it nice and cold!
# Notes:
01 -
Can't find mozzarella pearls? Just cube up a regular ball of fresh mozzarella instead!
02 -
Mini pepperoni makes a great substitute if you can't get salami
03 -
This salad tastes even better if you let it chill for a few hours before serving