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Easy Italian Pasta Salad

Easy Italian Pasta Salad: Perfect for Summer Gatherings

Easy Italian Pasta Salad is a vibrant medley of fresh vegetables, zesty salami, and creamy mozzarella, perfect for summer gatherings.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chilling Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Salads
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the Salad Base
  • 8 ounces Short Pasta (rotini or fusilli) Use short types to hold the dressing well.
  • 1 cup Green Bell Pepper Finely diced.
  • 1 cup Red Bell Pepper Finely diced.
  • 1 medium Red Onion Finely diced; can substitute with shallots.
  • 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes Halved.
  • 6 ounces Salami Cubed; can replace with pepperoni or omit.
  • 8 ounces Mozzarella Cubed; alternatives like feta or cheddar can be used.
  • 1/2 cup Black Olives Sliced; green olives can also be used.
For the Dressing
  • 1 cup Italian Dressing Homemade or store-bought.
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese For umami depth; can substitute with nutritional yeast.

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • colander
  • mixing bowl
  • Spatula or Tongs

Method
 

Step‑by‑Step Instructions
  1. Begin by finely dicing the green and red bell peppers and red onion. Halve the cherry tomatoes, and cube the salami and mozzarella into bite-sized pieces. Set them aside in a mixing bowl.
  2. In a large pot, bring salted water to a rolling boil. Add the short pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and retain some heat.
  3. Transfer the warm pasta into the bowl of chopped vegetables, salami, mozzarella, and black olives. Mix gently to avoid mashing ingredients.
  4. While the pasta is warm, pour the Italian dressing over and toss thoroughly.
  5. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld.
  6. Before serving, gently toss the salad and adjust seasoning if necessary. Your Easy Italian Pasta Salad is ready to serve!

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 12gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 300mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 200mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Customize with seasonal vegetables or protein options for added flavor. Serve chilled and enjoy at gatherings.

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