Italian Pasta Salad : In addition to being simple to prepare, the recipe for the BEST Italian Pasta Salad is packed with all the delicious ingredients and tossed in a zesty homemade dressing. Your potluck will be a success thanks to this dish!
Italian Pasta Salad
Ingredients:
- 1 pound of raw rotini pasta
- 8 ounces of fresh mozzarella cheese pearls (or cheese chunks if you can’t find pearls)
- You need 8 ounces of beef summer sausage, pepperoni or salami.
- 6 ounces of black olives, cut up
- 1/2 red onion, cut up
- 1 1/2 cups of cherry tomatoes, cut in half
- 1/2 tablespoon of fresh chopped parsley
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (1/4 cup sliced pepperoncinis
- 3/4 cup of olive oil
- 1/4 of a cup orange wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons of dried parsley flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon of dried minced onion 1/2 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon of dried basil
- 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon of garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon of white sugar 1/4 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in accordance with the directions on the package. Place the pasta in a bowl of cold water and drain the water. It should be allowed to cool for at least ten minutes.
- Place the spaghetti in a big bowl, and then pour forty percent of the salad dressing over the pasta. To combine, give it a toss. Combine everything by tossing it together after adding the other ingredients and the dressing.
- Place the dish in the refrigerator, covered, for at least an hour before serving. Keep in the refrigerator for up to four to five days.
Recipe Variations:
- Add Meat/Protein: Chop up some cooked gammon or chicken and add it.
- Veggie Substitutions: Put in some sliced bell pepper, some shredded carrot, or other cooked vegetables that have been sautéed, such as zucchini, asparagus, broccoli, or any other vegetables that you want.
- Meatless Italian Pasta Salad: Substitute additional vegetables for the meat and leave it out.
- Swap the Noodles: You can use farfalle, penne, or any other bite-sized pasta that you choose.
- Gluten Free: Make use of your preferred gluten-free pasta noodles that are bite-sized. The Barilla rotini pasta has proven to be really successful for us recently.
How to make Pasta Salad:
Make Dressing: Mix together the following ingredients: olive oil, red wine vinegar, parsley, onion, lemon juice, basil, oregano, salt, sugar, and pepper on a plate.
Cook Pasta : with regard to the directions on the packaging. The pasta should be drained and then rinsed in cold water. After the salad has had time to cool, pour half of the salad dressing over it and toss it to incorporate.
Add Ingredients: Depending on your preferences, incorporate mozzarella cheese pearls, salami, black olives, red onion, cherry tomatoes, fresh parsley, parmesan, pepperoncini (optional), and more dressing into the mixture. Prepare the pasta salad with Italian dressing by placing it in the refrigerator for at least one hour before serving.