Description
A vibrant and flavorful Zesty Italian Pasta Salad featuring rotini pasta tossed with a homemade Italian dressing, savory salami and pepperoni, fresh cherry tomatoes, olives, colorful bell peppers, red onion, pepperoncini, and creamy mozzarella pearls. Perfectly chilled to meld all the zesty flavors, this salad makes a refreshing and satisfying dish for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Homemade Italian Dressing
- Ingredients for homemade Italian dressing (refer to recipe or use store-bought, approximately 1/2 to 3/4 cup)
Pasta Salad
- 1 lb rotini pasta
- 4 oz sliced salami
- 3.5-4 oz pepperoni
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup black olives, sliced
- 1 orange bell pepper, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- ½ cup red onion, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp chopped pepperoncini
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella pearls
Instructions
- Prepare the dressing: Make the homemade Italian dressing using your preferred recipe or prepare in advance and refrigerate until needed.
- Cook the pasta: Boil salted water and cook the rotini pasta until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta well and transfer it immediately to a large mixing bowl.
- Toss pasta with dressing: While the pasta is still warm, add half of the prepared Italian dressing and toss thoroughly to coat the pasta, allowing it to absorb the flavors.
- Add remaining ingredients: Incorporate sliced salami, pepperoni, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced black olives, diced orange and green bell peppers, chopped red onion, chopped pepperoncini, and fresh mozzarella pearls into the pasta. Gently mix until everything is evenly combined.
- Chill the salad: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes. Just before serving, drizzle the remaining dressing over the salad for an extra burst of flavor.
Notes
- Be sure not to overcook the pasta; it should remain al dente for the best texture.
- Chilling the salad allows the flavors to meld and makes it more refreshing.
- Feel free to substitute or omit meats for a vegetarian version by adding more vegetables or beans.
- For a spicier kick, increase the amount of pepperoncini or add some crushed red pepper flakes to the dressing.
- Use fresh mozzarella pearls for the best texture; small mozzarella balls can be cut if needed.
