Description

This Easy Italian Pasta Salad is a refreshing and flavorful side dish perfect for potlucks, summer gatherings, or any casual meal. It features al dente rotini pasta tossed with fresh cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, black olives, mozzarella, and savory salami, all coated in tangy Italian dressing and topped with Parmesan and fresh herbs. Simple to prepare and served chilled, it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s easy to customize.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta and Vegetables

12 oz rotini pasta
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup cucumber, diced
1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
1/2 cup black olives, sliced

Dairy and Meat

1 cup mozzarella pearls or cubes
1/2 cup salami or pepperoni, chopped

Dressing and Garnish

3/4 cup Italian dressing (store-bought or homemade)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or basil
Salt and black pepper to taste

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Instructions

Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta completely.
Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, place the cooled pasta then add the halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, sliced black olives, mozzarella pearls, and chopped salami or pepperoni.
Add Dressing and Toss: Pour the Italian dressing over the combined ingredients. Toss everything gently but thoroughly to ensure the pasta and vegetables are well coated with the dressing.
Finish with Cheese and Herbs: Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the salad, followed by the chopped fresh parsley or basil. Lightly season with salt and black pepper, adjusting to taste.
Chill and Serve: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Before serving, toss the salad once more to redistribute the dressing and ingredients evenly.

Notes

This pasta salad can be made up to a day in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator without losing flavor or texture.
For a vegetarian version, simply omit the salami or pepperoni.
Feel free to customize by adding extras such as artichoke hearts, bell peppers, banana peppers, or other favorite salad veggies for more variety and flavor.
Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe suitable for gluten-free diets.