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+ servings
Italian Pasta Salad

Perfectly Easy Italian Pasta Salad for Summer BBQs

This Italian Pasta Salad brings vibrant flavors and is a true crowd-pleaser at summer BBQs.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chilling Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 25 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Salads
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 8 ounces Rotini Provides structure and holds the dressing
  • 4 ounces Hard Salami Can be substituted with pepperoni or grilled zucchini
  • 1 pint Grape Tomatoes Substitutable with cherry tomatoes
  • 1 cup Black Olives Can use green olives for a different flavor
  • 1 cup Bell Peppers Add variety of colors for visual appeal
  • 1 small Red Onion Substitutable with green onions for milder flavor
  • 8 ounces Fresh Mozzarella Pearls Use chopped mozzarella if pearls aren’t available
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese Can substitute with Pecorino Romano
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley Cilantro can be used as an alternative
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Basil Use dried basil in smaller quantity if necessary
For the Dressing
  • 1/2 cup Olive Oil Can substitute with avocado oil
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Lemon Juice Vinegar can also be used
  • 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano Key flavor in the dressing
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon Mustard Regular mustard may be a substitute
  • 1 tablespoon Honey Agave syrup can be a vegan alternative
  • 2 cloves Minced Garlic Garlic powder can be used if necessary
  • 1/4 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes Adjust to taste for heat

Equipment

  • large pot
  • colander
  • cutting board
  • large mixing bowl
  • medium bowl
  • whisk

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions for Italian Pasta Salad
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the rotini and cook for 8–10 minutes, or until al dente. Drain and rinse briefly under cold water.
  2. Chop the hard salami, grape tomatoes, black olives, bell peppers, and red onion into bite-sized pieces. Set aside in a large bowl.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, fresh lemon juice, dried oregano, Dijon mustard, honey, and minced garlic. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Add cooled rotini, mozzarella pearls, Parmesan cheese, parsley, and basil to the bowl with chopped ingredients. Drizzle with dressing and toss gently to combine.
  5. If salad appears dry, add a splash of reserved pasta water. Transfer to a serving dish and chill for 1–2 hours before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 12gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 250mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 300mgIron: 1mg

Notes

Customize with your favorite vegetables or proteins, and let it chill for enhanced flavor.

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