Description
This Classic Italian Pasta Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish perfect for gatherings or a light meal. Featuring tri-colored rotini pasta tossed with savory salami, fresh cherry tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, peperoncini, olives, and fragrant basil, coated in a tangy Italian vinaigrette dressing. Easy to prepare and served chilled, it’s both refreshing and satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces tri-colored rotini pasta (1 box)
Meat
- ½ cup hard Italian salami, chopped or thinly sliced
Vegetables & Herbs
- 1 pint Glory tomatoes (cherry-type tomatoes), quartered
- ¼ cup minced red onions
- ½ cup diced peperoncini
- ¼ cup pitted and sliced black or green olives
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil leaves
Dairy
- 1 cup mini mozzarella balls (8 ounces pearls), halved
Dressing
- 1 cup Italian dressing (vinaigrette)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Cook the tri-colored rotini pasta to al dente according to the package directions. Drain and rinse the pasta with cold water to stop the cooking process. Shake off excess liquid and spread the pasta on a large rimmed baking sheet lined with paper towels. Let it dry for 10-15 minutes.
- Combine ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the dried pasta, chopped salami, quartered Glory tomatoes, minced red onions, halved mozzarella balls, diced peperoncini, sliced olives, and chopped fresh basil. Stir gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Add dressing: Pour ¾ cup of the Italian vinaigrette dressing over the pasta salad mixture. Toss thoroughly to ensure every ingredient is well coated with the dressing.
- Chill: Transfer the pasta salad to an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to serve. Before serving, add the remaining ¼ cup of dressing and toss again to incorporate the flavors evenly.
- Serve and enjoy: Serve chilled and enjoy this delicious and colorful Italian pasta salad as a side dish or a light meal.
Notes
- For a lighter option, substitute the Italian vinaigrette with a low-fat or homemade dressing.
- You can customize this salad by adding or substituting other vegetables or cured meats according to preference.
- Allow the salad to chill for at least 1 hour before serving for best flavor.
- Ensure pasta is thoroughly dried after cooking to prevent the salad from becoming watery.
