Description
Zesty Italian Pasta Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish that’s perfect for any occasion, from summer picnics to casual dinners. This salad combines the goodness of rotini pasta with fresh vegetables, savory meats, and a tangy homemade Italian dressing that elevates every bite. With its colorful presentation and make-ahead convenience, this pasta salad is not only a crowd-pleaser but also a fantastic option for meal prep. Impress your guests with this easy-to-make recipe that bursts with flavor and freshness!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb rotini pasta
- 4 oz sliced salami (quartered)
- 3.5–4 oz pepperoni (quartered)
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1 cup black olives (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 homemade Italian dressing and refrigerate.
- Cook the rotini pasta in salted water until al dente, then drain.
- In a large bowl, combine warm pasta with half of the dressing and toss until coated.
- Add salami, pepperoni, tomatoes, olives, bell peppers, onion, pepperoncini, and mozzarella to the pasta; mix well.
- Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. Toss again with remaining dressing just before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No cooking required for final mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 30mg