Description
Zesty Italian Pasta Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish that brings together the best of fresh ingredients and a tangy homemade dressing. This pasta salad is perfect for picnics, barbecues, or family dinners, impressing both guests and family alike. With its explosion of colors and tastes, this dish is not only easy to prepare but can also be made ahead of time—making it an ideal choice for stress-free entertaining. The delightful mix of pepperoni, salami, mozzarella, and crisp vegetables makes every bite a culinary adventure. Enjoy the freshness of summer in every serving!
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, 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
- Homemade Italian dressing
Instructions
- Prepare the homemade Italian dressing and refrigerate until needed.
- Boil a large pot of salted water and cook rotini pasta until al dente; drain and transfer to a large serving bowl.
- Pour half of the prepared dressing over the warm pasta and toss gently.
- Add all remaining ingredients to the bowl and mix well.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. Toss with remaining dressing just before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Chilling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (about 200g)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 30mg