Description
Zesty Italian Pasta Salad is an irresistible blend of vibrant vegetables, savory meats, and creamy mozzarella, all tossed in a homemade Italian dressing that elevates this dish to new heights. Perfect for summer gatherings, potlucks, or as a satisfying meal on its own, this pasta salad is easy to prepare and can be made ahead of time. Its colorful presentation and fresh flavors will undoubtedly impress your guests and make it a new favorite at any table.
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, 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
- Homemade Italian dressing
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing according to the recipe and refrigerate until ready to use.
- In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the rotini pasta until al dente. Drain using a colander and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- Pour half of the prepared dressing over the warm pasta and toss gently.
- Add the remaining ingredients: pepperoni, salami, cherry tomatoes, black olives, both bell peppers, red onion, pepperoncini, and mozzarella pearls. Toss until well combined.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. Toss with remaining dressing just before serving and garnish with Parmesan cheese and parsley.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (200g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 25mg