Zesty Italian Pasta Salad
Bright, tangy pasta salad with crisp vegetables, pepperoni, olives, and a zippy homemade Italian vinaigrette. Ready in about 20 minutes and great for potlucks or make-ahead lunches.
Ingredients
Salad
- 12 oz rotini pasta penne, or farfalle
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 medium cucumber seeded and diced
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- ½ small red onion thinly sliced
- 1 cup pepperoni slices or salami quartered (optional)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or provolone
- ½ cup sliced black olives
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley or basil
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper
Zesty Italian Dressing
- ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp honey or granulated sugar
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp dried basil
- ¼ tsp garlic powder or 1 small clove minced
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper adjust to taste
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until just al dente according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the noodles.
- While the pasta cooks, halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber and bell pepper, thinly slice the red onion, quarter the pepperoni if using, shred the cheese, and chop the parsley.
- Whisk together olive oil, Dijon mustard, honey, oregano, basil, garlic powder, crushed red pepper, salt, and pepper until emulsified. Taste and adjust for acidity or sweetness.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, vegetables, pepperoni, olives, and cheese. Pour about three-quarters of the dressing over the salad and toss to coat evenly; add more dressing if needed.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld. Before serving, taste and adjust seasoning, add chopped parsley, and finish with cracked black pepper.
Notes
- Store airtight in the refrigerator up to 3 days. Refresh with a splash of olive oil or vinegar before serving if needed.
- For a creamier version, stir in 2–3 tablespoons of mayonnaise or Greek yogurt to the dressing.
- To make vegetarian, omit cured meats and add chickpeas or grilled tofu for protein.
Nutrition
Calories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 10gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 520mgSugar: 4g
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