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Easy Italian Pasta Salad

Easy Italian Pasta Salad

This Easy Italian Pasta Salad combines fresh vegetables, pasta, and a tangy dressing, making it a perfect dish for summer gatherings.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chilling Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Salads
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 300

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 1 lb Rotini or Fusilli These shapes hold onto the dressing beautifully.
For the Vegetables
  • 1.5 cups Green Bell Pepper Finely diced.
  • 1.5 cups Red Bell Pepper Finely diced.
  • 1 cup Red Onion Finely diced.
  • 0.5 cups Black Olives Sliced.
  • 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes Halved.
For the Protein
  • 10 oz Salami Cut into 1/2-inch cubes.
For the Cheeses
  • 1.25 cups Mozzarella Cubed.
  • 0.75 cups Parmesan Cheese Grated.
For the Dressing
  • 1 cup Italian Dressing I recommend Ken's Steak House Simply Vinaigrette.
For Seasoning
  • to taste Salt
  • to taste Pepper

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Colander
  • Mixing bowl
  • Spatula

Method
 

Step‑by‑Step Instructions
  1. Prepare the Ingredients: Dice the green and red bell peppers and the red onion, soaking the onion in cold water for about 10 minutes. Halve the cherry tomatoes, cube the salami and mozzarella, and slice the black olives.
  2. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 1 pound of rotini or fusilli pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and return to the pot.
  3. Combine the Ingredients: While the pasta is still warm, add the vegetables, black olives, salami, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese to the pot.
  4. Dress the Salad: Pour Italian dressing over the mixture and toss until well combined.
  5. Adjust Seasoning: Taste and add salt and pepper as needed.
  6. Chill and Serve: Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 300kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 12gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 450mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 15IUVitamin C: 80mgCalcium: 25mgIron: 10mg

Notes

Perfect for potlucks and gatherings, this salad is best served cold or at room temperature.

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