Description
A hearty, colorful pasta salad packed with Italian flavors, crisp vegetables, salami, and cheese, all tossed in a zesty homemade Italian dressing. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or meal prep!
Ingredients
Scale
- For the Salad:
- 16 oz (450g) rotini or fusilli pasta
- 8 oz (225g) Genoa salami, diced
- 8 oz (225g) mozzarella cheese, cubed
- 1 English cucumber, diced
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 red onion, finely diced
- 1 can (6 oz/170g) black olives, sliced
- 1/2 cup pepperoncini peppers, sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- For the Dressing:
- 3/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp honey
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain, rinse with cold water, and let cool completely.
- Make dressing: Whisk together all dressing ingredients in a small bowl until emulsified.
- Chop ingredients: While pasta cools, prepare all vegetables, salami, and cheese.
- Combine: In a large bowl, mix cooled pasta with all salad ingredients.
- Dress salad: Pour dressing over salad and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
- Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (preferably 4+) to allow flavors to meld.
- Serve: Toss again before serving, garnish with extra parsley if desired.
Notes
- For best texture, add dressing at least 2 hours before serving.
- Make ahead: Salad keeps well for 3-4 days in refrigerator.
- Vegetarian option: Omit salami and add chickpeas or artichoke hearts.
- Gluten-free option: Use gluten-free pasta.
- Additions: Try including provolone cubes, roasted red peppers, or fresh basil.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes (pasta)
- Category: Pasta Salad
- Method: No-Cook (except pasta)
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 30mg