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An overhead close-up shot of the cold pasta salad, highlighting the fresh ingredients like cherry tomatoes, black olives, and mozzarella.
FL Recipes

Zesty Italian Pasta Salad (The Only Recipe You'll Need)

This Zesty Italian Pasta Salad is the perfect crowd-pleasing side dish! Packed with rotini, salami, fresh veggies, and mozzarella pearls, all tossed in a vibrant homemade Italian dressing. Quick, easy, and perfect for making ahead.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

  • 16 oz Rotini pasta tri-color or regular
  • 6 oz Genoa Salami thinly sliced and quartered
  • 1 pint Cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 English cucumber diced
  • 6 oz Canned black olives drained and halved
  • 1/2 Red onion thinly sliced
  • 8 oz Fresh mozzarella pearls
  • 1/4 cup Fresh parsley chopped
  • 3/4 cup Extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/3 cup Red wine vinegar
  • 2 tbsp Fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 2 cloves Garlic finely minced
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp Salt or to taste
  • 1/2 tsp Black pepper freshly ground

Equipment

  • 1 Large Pot
  • 1 Large Mixing Bowl
  • 1 Colander
  • 1 Jar or small bowl for dressing

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain immediately and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.
  2. While the pasta cooks, combine all dressing ingredients (olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper) in a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Shake vigorously until well-combined.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, salami, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, black olives, red onion, and mozzarella pearls.
  4. Pour about two-thirds of the dressing over the salad and toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
  5. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Before serving, toss again, adding more dressing if needed. Garnish with fresh parsley.

Nutrition

Calories: 450kcalProtein: 13gFat: 30gFiber: 3g

Notes

Make-Ahead Tip: Prepare the salad and dressing up to 24 hours in advance, but store them separately. Combine them about 30 minutes before serving for the freshest taste and texture.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Keyword cold pasta salad,easy pasta salad,pasta salad with italian dressing

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