Description
Zesty Italian Pasta Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish that captures the essence of summer gatherings. This crowd-pleaser is perfect for barbecues, picnics, or potlucks, combining fresh ingredients like colorful bell peppers, savory meats, and creamy mozzarella pearls tossed in a tangy homemade Italian dressing. The combination of textures and tastes ensures that each bite is a delicious experience. Plus, it can be prepared ahead of time, making it an ideal stress-free option for entertaining.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb rotini pasta
- 3.5–4 oz quartered pepperoni
- 4 oz quartered sliced salami
- 1 pint halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup halved black olives
- 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 until ready to use.
- Cook the rotini pasta in salted water according to package directions until al dente. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.
- Pour half of the dressing over the warm pasta; toss to combine.
- Add the remaining salad ingredients to the bowl and toss until evenly mixed.
- Chill for at least 30 minutes before serving; toss with remaining dressing right before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No cooking required after prep
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 30mg