Description
This Italian Pasta Salad is a vibrant and flavorful cold pasta dish perfect for summer picnics or light meals. It features rotini pasta tossed with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, black olives, mozzarella, Parmesan, and salami, all coated in a zesty Italian dressing infused with olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, and garlic powder. Chilling the salad allows the flavors to meld beautifully, creating a refreshing and satisfying dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Vegetables
- 12 ounces rotini pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
Cheeses and Meat
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, cubed
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup salami or pepperoni, sliced
Dressing
- 1/2 cup Italian dressing
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil, then add the rotini pasta. Cook according to the package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it completely.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, sliced black olives, cubed mozzarella cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, and sliced salami or pepperoni. Toss gently to combine.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the Italian dressing, olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until well blended.
- Toss Salad with Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Toss thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the salad with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Before serving, give the salad a final toss and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
Notes
- Customize the salad by adding bell peppers or artichoke hearts for extra flavor and texture.
- Substitute salami with grilled chicken to increase the protein content.
- For a vegetarian option, omit the salami or pepperoni.
- The salad tastes even better after chilling for a few hours as the flavors fully develop.
