Description
This vibrant Italian Pasta Salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a light meal. It combines al dente pasta with fresh vegetables, mozzarella, salami, and a tangy homemade dressing.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Salad:
- 1 cup mozzarella balls (mini, whole, or halved)
- 13 cherry or plum tomatoes (tricolor preferred), halved
- 1/2 red onion, medium dice
- 1 cup cucumber, sliced and seeds removed
- 1/2 cup black olives
- 1/2 cup parsley, chopped
- 10 oz salami, smaller dice
- 15 oz pasta (fusilli, rotini, farfalle, or other short pasta)
- 1/2 cup bell pepper (red), diced
Dressing:
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp lemon juice
- 1/4 cup + 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp maple syrup
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Prepare pasta according to package directions (al dente). Add salt to the pasta water. Once cooked, drain the pasta in a colander and let cool down or chill in the fridge before mixing with other ingredients. For faster cooling, arrange pasta on a baking sheet while you prepare the other ingredients.
- Make Dressing: In a mixing jug or mason jar with a lid, combine dressing ingredients and stir/shake well. Let stand (fridge or room temperature) for 15-30 minutes for flavors to blend.
- Prepare Salad Ingredients: Prepare your vegetables and salami by cutting them and arrange them in a large mixing bowl.
- Combine Salad: Add the cooled pasta to the bowl with the vegetables and salami. Pour the dressing over the salad and stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Chill (Optional): For better flavor, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
Notes
- Use any short pasta shape that has curves to hold the dressing well.
- Remove the seeds from the cucumber to prevent the salad from becoming watery.
- Red bell peppers add a sweeter flavor that balances the salty ingredients.
- You can use other Italian meats like pepperoni or prosciutto instead of salami.
- Adjust the dressing ingredients to your taste preferences.
- Serve chilled for best flavor.
Nutrition
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
