Twisty Italian Pasta Salad Food

ITALIAN PASTA SALAD

Italian Pasta Salad image

Loaded and refreshing! Made with tender pasta, smoked salami, fresh veggies and herbs, two types of cheese, and a tangy homemade Italian dressing. Perfect for a picnic or summer dinner.

Provided by Jaclyn

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

16 oz. dry rotini
10 oz. hard salami, (sliced 1/4-inch thick then chopped)
3 cups (16 oz.) grape tomatoes, (halved)
1 (6 oz.) can black olives, (sliced)
2 cups chopped bell peppers ((I like to use yellow and green))
1/2 cup chopped red onion
8 oz. fresh mozzarella pearls*
3 oz. freshly grated parmesan,** ((3/4 cup))
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/3 cup chopped fresh basil***
1 cup olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tsp dried oregano
2 tsp dijon mustard
1 tsp honey
2 tsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, (or to taste)
Salt (and freshly ground black pepper)

Steps:

Cook pasta according to directions on package (I boil in 5 quarts water with 1 Tbsp salt) just barely to al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water then drain pasta.
Immediately transfer pasta to a rimmed 18 by 13-inch baking sheet and spread out to cool for 15 minutes.
While pasta is cooking and cooling chop ingredients and prepare dressing.
For the dressing whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, mustard, honey, garlic, red pepper flakes and season lightly with salt and then pepper to taste.
Add cooled pasta to an extra large bowl along with salami, tomatoes, olives, bell peppers, red onion, mozzarella pearls, parmesan, parsley and basil.
Whisk dressing once more then pour over ingredients in bowl along with 1/4 cup pasta water. Toss well to evenly coat. Thin with more pasta water as desired and season with more salt as needed.
It can be served right away or for a colder, more refreshing pasta salad, chill for 1 - 2 hours (or up to 3 days).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 529 kcal, Carbohydrate 36 g, Protein 18 g, Fat 35 g, SaturatedFat 9 g, Cholesterol 38 mg, Sodium 1005 mg, Fiber 3 g, Sugar 5 g, UnsaturatedFat 23 g, ServingSize 1 serving

ITALIAN PASTA SALAD RECIPE

Italian Pasta Salad Recipe image

This is one satisfying and flavor-packed cold pasta salad with crunchy veggies, fresh herbs, rustic old-world salami, tangy olives, and mozzarella. A zesty Italian dressing brings it all together.

Provided by Suzy Karadsheh

Categories Salad

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

¾ lb pasta, ((I recommend fusilli or rotini pasta) )
Kosher salt
1 pint cherry tomatoes (halved)
1 bell pepper (any color, cored and chopped)
1 shallot (chopped)
1 cup marinated artichoke hearts (6 ounces)
1/4 cup pitted kalamata olives
6 pepperoncini, (chopped)
6 to 8 ounces salami, (sliced into bite size pieces )
6 ounces mozzarella cheese, (torn (or mozzarella cheese balls))
½ cup packed chopped fresh parsley
½ cup packed chopped fresh basil leaves
¼ cup olive oil
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 garlic cloves, (minced)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ to 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Kosher salt and black pepper

Steps:

Cook the pasta in boiling water according to package instructions until the pasta is cooked to al dante (don't forget to salt your water). Drain
In a large bowl, mix the pasta with the tomatoes, chopped veggies, artichoke hearts, olives, pepperoncini, salami, mozzarella, and fresh herbs.
In a small bowl or measuring cup, mix the dressing ingredients together.
Pour the dressing over the pasta and toss to coat.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 292.3 kcal, Carbohydrate 31.1 g, Protein 13.2 g, SaturatedFat 4.6 g, Cholesterol 26.9 mg, Sodium 748.4 mg, Fiber 2.7 g, ServingSize 1 serving