Italian Pasta Salad

Name: Italian Pasta Salad
Cook time: 1 hour 25 mins
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients: 1 lbs rotini pasta, uncooked; 8 oz mozzarella cheese (diced into small pieces); 8 oz salami, pepperoni, or beef summer sausage; 6 oz black olives, pitted and sliced; 1/2 red onion, diced; 1 1/2 cups heirloom cherry tomatoes; 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped; 1/2 cups grated parmesan cheese; pepperoncinis, sliced (optional); 3/4 cups olive oil; 1/4 cups red wine vinegar; 2 tsp dried parsley flakes; 2 tsp dried minced onion; 2 tsp fresh lemon juice; 1 tsp dried basil; 1 tsp dried oregano; 1 tsp garlic salt; 1 tsp granulated sugar; 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Mains, Sides

Here’s a summer pasta salad does the most—with the least effort. Bright, flavorful, and built for seconds (and thirds).

Servings: 8

Time: 1 hour 25 mins

Ingredients

Pasta Salad

1 lb rotini pasta, uncooked
8 oz mozzarella cheese (diced into small pieces)
8 oz salami, pepperoni, or beef summer sausage
6 oz black olives, pitted and sliced
1/2 red onion, diced
1 1/2 cups heirloom cherry tomatoes
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
1/2 cups grated parmesan cheese
pepperoncinis, sliced (optional)

Italian Salad Dressing

3/4 cups olive oil
1/4 cups red wine vinegar
2 tsp dried parsley flakes
2 tsp dried minced onion
2 tsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp garlic salt
1 tsp granulated sugar
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Process

Cook the rotini pasta according to package instructions. Drain the pasta water and rinse with cold water. Allow pasta to cool for 10 minutes.
While the pasta is cooling, make the salad dressing by combining all ingredients. Mix well.
Add the pasta to a large bowl and mix half the salad dressing in. Toss to combine. Add the remaining ingredients (mozzarella, protein, olives, red onion, cherry tomatoes, parsley, parmesan cheese, and pepperoncinis) along with the rest of the dressing and toss together until well combined.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.