Description
A delightful Italian pasta salad that combines vibrant flavors with fresh vegetables, savory salami, and creamy mozzarella—perfect for gatherings and picnics.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2/3 cup olive oil
- 1/3 cup cider vinegar
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 3/4 tsp garlic powder
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 4 cups rotini or fusilli pasta
- 1 medium red onion (finely diced)
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1 large cucumber (diced)
- 1 1/2 cups small mozzarella balls
- 1 1/4 cups salami (cut into 1/2-inch cubes)
- 3/4 cup kalamata olives (halved)
- 1/3 cup fresh parsley (chopped)
- 1 red bell pepper (diced)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta by boiling salted water, adding pasta, and cooking until al dente (8-10 minutes). Drain and rinse under cold water.
- Prepare the dressing by whisking olive oil, cider vinegar, sugar, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- Chop the vegetables: finely dice red onion, halve cherry tomatoes, and dice cucumber. Chop parsley and red bell pepper.
- Combine the cooled pasta, red onion, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, mozzarella, salami, kalamata olives, parsley, and red bell pepper in a large bowl and toss gently.
- Add the dressing and gently toss to coat all ingredients.
- Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least one hour before serving.
- Serve with a gentle toss and adjust seasoning if needed.
Notes
For best flavor, make a day in advance. Customize with your favorite ingredients.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: No Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: pasta salad, Italian salad, summer salad, easy salad, picnic food