Description
This refreshing pasta salad is perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a light lunch. Loaded with colorful vegetables, creamy cheese, and optional salami or pepperoni, it’s tossed in a zesty homemade Italian dressing that ties everything together beautifully. Make it ahead for even better flavor after chilling.
Ingredients
1 lb rotini or bowtie pasta
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup cucumber, diced
1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
1/2 cup black olives, sliced
1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
1 cup cubed cheddar or mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup salami or pepperoni slices (optional)
1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley or basil
For the Dressing:
3/4 cup Italian dressing
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
1/2 tsp garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Boil pasta in a large pot of salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, rinse the pasta under cold water to stop the cooking process and drain thoroughly.
While the pasta cooks and cools, prepare the vegetables. Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber and red bell pepper, slice the black olives, finely chop the red onion, and cube the cheddar or mozzarella cheese. If using salami or pepperoni, slice them into bite-sized pieces. Chop the fresh parsley or basil.
In a small bowl, whisk together the Italian dressing, Dijon mustard, red wine vinegar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until well combined.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta with the chopped vegetables, cheese, salami or pepperoni, and fresh herbs.
Pour the prepared dressing over the pasta salad. Toss everything together thoroughly until the pasta and vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing.
Cover the bowl and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least one hour to allow the flavors to meld. Toss again before serving to refresh the dressing and redistribute the ingredients.
Notes
For the best results, use high-quality Italian dressing and fresh herbs. The longer the salad chills, the more flavorful it becomes. This dish can easily be made a day ahead, making it ideal for entertaining or meal prep. Feel free to substitute or add other favorite ingredients such as artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, or grilled chicken for added variety.