Description
Zesty Italian Pasta Salad is a colorful and flavorful dish that combines the tang of homemade Italian dressing with a medley of fresh ingredients. This pasta salad is not just a side dish; it’s a vibrant centerpiece for any gathering, whether you’re hosting a picnic, potluck, or family dinner. With its hearty blend of rotini pasta, pepperoni, salami, cherry tomatoes, and mozzarella pearls, every bite is bursting with flavor. Plus, it’s incredibly easy to make and can be customized to suit your taste preferences. Serve it chilled for the best experience—this salad is sure to impress everyone at your table!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 recipe homemade Italian Dressing
- 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
- Parmesan and parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the homemade Italian dressing and refrigerate.
- Boil salted water in a large pot; cook rotini pasta until al dente. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.
- Toss warm pasta with half of the dressing until coated. Add pepperoni, salami, cherry tomatoes, olives, bell peppers, onion, pepperoncini, and mozzarella. Mix well.
- Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Right before serving, toss again with the remaining dressing and garnish with parsley and Parmesan.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 40mg