Description
Zesty Italian Pasta Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish that brings the essence of Italy to your table. Perfect for summer barbecues, potlucks, or family dinners, this salad combines al dente rotini pasta with fresh vegetables, savory salami, zesty pepperoncini, and creamy mozzarella pearls. Tossed in a homemade tangy Italian dressing, it’s not just visually stunning but also a taste sensation that will delight your guests. The beauty of this pasta salad lies in its versatility; serve it as a side dish or enjoy it as a standalone meal. Plus, it can be made ahead of time for stress-free entertaining.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb rotini pasta
- 3.5–4 oz pepperoni (quartered)
- 4 oz sliced salami (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
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella pearls
- Homemade Italian dressing
Instructions
- Prepare the homemade Italian dressing and refrigerate until use.
- Cook the rotini pasta in salted water until al dente, then drain.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine warm pasta with half the dressing and toss.
- Add all remaining ingredients and toss gently to combine.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (about 200g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 25mg