Description
Summer freshness comes alive in this Italian pasta salad, blending Mediterranean ingredients with crisp vegetables and zesty dressing. Tangy herbs and colorful produce create perfect harmony for outdoor gatherings and casual meals.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz (454 g) rotini pasta, cooked and cooled
- 4 oz (113 g) turkey salami, diced
- 5 oz (142 g) small pepperonis
- 4 oz (113 g) fresh mozzarella, diced
- 1 pint (300 g) grape tomatoes, quartered
- ½ cup (50 g) shredded parmesan cheese
- ½ cup (70 g) sliced black olives
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- ½ red onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons (8 g) parsley, chopped
- 2 tablespoons (8 g) basil, chopped
- 16 oz (473 mL) Italian dressing, bottled or homemade
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Cook rotini to al dente perfection, quickly cool under cold water to prevent overcooking and maintain optimal texture.
- Protein and Olive Fusion: Combine turkey salami, pepperonis, and black olives, creating a savory Mediterranean-inspired base that adds depth and complexity to the salad.
- Vegetable Medley: Incorporate finely chopped green bell peppers and red onions, ensuring uniform pieces for balanced flavor distribution and visual appeal.
- Fresh Element Integration: Gently mix in quartered grape tomatoes, adding vibrant color and tangy brightness to the pasta composition.
- Herb and Cheese Enhancement: Sprinkle fresh parsley and basil throughout, then liberally distribute parmesan and mozzarella, allowing these ingredients to intertwine and elevate the overall taste profile.
- Dressing and Marination: Drizzle Italian dressing across the mixture, thoroughly tossing to ensure complete flavor integration and even coating of all ingredients.
- Flavor Development: Refrigerate the salad for at least one hour, allowing the components to meld and intensify their collective taste, creating a harmonious and refreshing dish perfect for serving chilled.
Notes
- Chill for Flavor Fusion: Refrigerate the salad for at least one hour to allow ingredients to blend and intensify their taste, creating a more complex and delicious dish.
- Precise Chopping Matters: Cut vegetables and meats into uniform, bite-sized pieces to ensure each forkful has a perfect balance of flavors and textures.
- Master the Al Dente Technique: Cook pasta just until tender but still firm, then immediately rinse with cold water to stop cooking and prevent a mushy texture.
- Dress Strategically: Drizzle dressing evenly and toss gently to coat all ingredients, preventing clumping and ensuring a consistent, flavorful experience.
- Prep Time: 15min
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 418
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 1,024 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg