Description
Zesty Italian Pasta Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish that’s perfect for any occasion, from summer barbecues to family gatherings. This refreshing salad combines al dente rotini pasta with colorful vegetables, savory meats, and a homemade Italian dressing that adds a zesty kick. Each bite bursts with flavor, making it an instant crowd-pleaser. The best part? It can be prepared in advance, allowing for stress-free serving when entertaining guests. Whether enjoyed as a main course or a side dish, this pasta salad is sure to impress everyone at the table!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb rotini pasta
- 1 recipe homemade Italian dressing
- 3.5 oz pepperoni
- 4 oz sliced salami
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup black olives
- 1 orange bell pepper
- 1 green bell pepper
- ½ cup red onion
- 2 tbsp chopped pepperoncini
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella pearls
Instructions
- Prepare the Italian dressing and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Boil salted water in a large pot, add rotini pasta, and cook according to package instructions. Drain well.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine warm pasta with half of the Italian dressing and toss gently.
- Add remaining ingredients: meats and vegetables. Toss until evenly mixed.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving. Toss with remaining dressing before serving and garnish with Parmesan cheese and parsley.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 31g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 30mg