Description
Italian Pasta Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish packed with fresh vegetables, pasta, and a tangy Italian dressing. This salad is perfect for potlucks, picnics, or as a side for a summer barbecue, offering a satisfying and refreshing combination of textures and flavors. It’s quick to prepare and highly customizable to suit your taste.
Ingredients
- For the salad:
12 oz (about 3 cups) of pasta (rotini, penne, or bowtie work well)
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cucumber, sliced
1/2 red bell pepper, diced
1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup black olives, pitted and sliced (optional)
1/4 cup pepperoni, sliced (optional)
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, cubed or mini mozzarella balls
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
For the dressing:
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon honey or sugar (optional, for sweetness)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
For the pasta salad:
Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse the pasta under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. Set aside to drain fully.
- Prepare the vegetables: While the pasta is cooling, prepare the vegetables. Slice the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red bell pepper. Thinly slice the red onion and olives, if using.
- Combine the pasta and veggies: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta with the prepared vegetables, olives, pepperoni, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese. Toss everything together gently.
- For the dressing:
Make the dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey (if using), oregano, basil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Taste the dressing and adjust the seasoning to your preference. If you like it tangier, add more vinegar or lemon juice. If you prefer it sweeter, add a little more honey or sugar. - To assemble:
Toss the salad: Pour the dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Toss everything together until the pasta and vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing. - Chill and serve: For the best flavor, cover the pasta salad and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes (or up to 2 hours) before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together. Stir again before serving and garnish with extra Parmesan cheese or fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- Meat Lovers: Add grilled chicken, salami, or Italian sausage for more protein.
- Vegetarian Version: Omit the pepperoni and add more vegetables like artichoke hearts, zucchini, or roasted red peppers.
- Cheese Lovers: Add more cheese such as provolone, feta, or goat cheese for extra creaminess.
- Spicy Italian Pasta Salad: Add some crushed red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños to the dressing for a bit of heat.
- Greek Twist: Substitute feta cheese and Kalamata olives for the mozzarella and black olives, and use oregano, lemon juice, and olive oil for a Mediterranean-inspired version.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: undefined
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling, Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 25mg