Name: Italian Pasta Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: Serves 6-8
Ingredients: 1 pound (450g) rotini pasta or fusilli; 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved; 1 medium cucumber, diced; 1 red bell pepper, diced; 1/2 red onion, finely sliced; 8 oz (225g) mozzarella pearls or cubed mozzarella; 1 cup black olives, sliced; 6 oz (170g) salami or pepperoni, sliced into thin strips; 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, torn; 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped; 3/4 cup Italian dressing; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

Cook the pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
Prepare the vegetables

While the pasta cooks, chop all vegetables. Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber and bell pepper, slice the red onion, and tear or chop the fresh herbs.
Create the dressing

In a small bowl, whisk together the Italian dressing, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. If using store-bought dressing, you can enhance it with the vinegar and extra herbs.
Combine ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, all prepared vegetables, mozzarella, olives, and salami. Pour the dressing over the ingredients.
Toss and season

Gently toss all ingredients until evenly coated with dressing. Add the torn basil, chopped parsley, and grated Parmesan cheese. Toss again to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
Chill the salad

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together. The pasta salad can be made up to 24 hours in advance.
Serve and garnish

Before serving, give the pasta salad a good stir and taste again for seasoning. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with additional fresh herbs and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese if desired.

Italian Pasta Salad

Ingredients

Instructions

Nutritional Information