Description
A vibrant and zesty Italian pasta salad loaded with rotini pasta, fresh vegetables, pepperoni, salami, mozzarella pearls, and homemade Italian dressing. Perfectly tossed and chilled to meld flavors, this salad is an ideal dish for gatherings, potlucks, or a refreshing meal on a warm day.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 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
Italian Dressing
- 1 recipe homemade Italian dressing (ingredients not listed, prepared separately)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing: Follow the recipe instructions for homemade Italian dressing. Refrigerate it until ready to use, then shake well to recombine the flavors before adding to the salad.
- 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, approximately 7 minutes. Drain the pasta and transfer it to a large mixing bowl.
- Toss with Dressing: Immediately pour half of the Italian dressing over the warm pasta and toss thoroughly to coat the pasta evenly. This step helps the pasta absorb the dressing flavors.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Add cherry tomatoes, black olives, chopped orange and green bell peppers, diced red onion, chopped pepperoncini, quartered pepperoni, quartered salami, and mozzarella pearls to the pasta. Toss gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Chill: Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. For best flavor, chill up to 24 hours to allow the ingredients to meld together.
- Finish and Serve: Before serving, toss the pasta salad with the remaining Italian dressing. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese. Serve chilled and enjoy.
Notes
- This salad can be made a day ahead to deepen the flavor profile.
- Use rotini or any other short pasta shape that holds dressing well.
- Adjust the amount of pepperoncini and salami to taste if you prefer a milder or spicier flavor.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Ensure pasta is slightly warm when first tossed with dressing to maximize absorption.
