Italian Pasta Salad
User Reviews
5
Italian Pasta Salad
Description
This salad features cooked rotini pasta cooled and combined with an assortment of savory ingredients including chopped salami, cubed mozzarella cheese, halved grape tomatoes, sliced black olives, and diced red, green, and orange bell peppers. Red onion and shredded Parmesan add sharpness and depth. The salad is dressed in a zesty Italian dressing that infuses herbs and tang, then chilled for at least two hours, allowing flavors to meld.
The dish offers a balance of textures from al dente pasta, tender cheese, crunchy vegetables, and meaty salami. Its vibrant colors and well-rounded flavors make it suitable as a potluck salad, picnic side, or casual meal. Letting it sit at room temperature briefly before serving enhances flavor and mouthfeel.
For best results, avoid freezing as texture changes. Adjust dressing by adding more before serving if leftovers dry out, or hold some dressing to add fresh just prior to serving. Preparing the salad a day ahead enhances flavor development.
Ingredients
- 16 ounces rotini pasta tri color
- 8 ounces salami chopped
- 1 cup Italian dressing zesty
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese cubed
- 1 pint grape tomatoes halved
- 6 ounces black olive sliced
- ½ green bell pepper diced
- ½ bell pepper diced, orange
- ½ red bell pepper diced
- ⅓ cup red onion diced
- ⅓ cup Parmesan Cheese shredded
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Cook pasta to al dente according to the package directions. Drain in colander then rinse with cold water.
- In a large bowl combine the rest of the ingredients, add pasta and toss to combine.
- Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.
Notes
- Allow the salad to sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving to enhance flavor.
- Prepare the salad a day ahead and refrigerate overnight for better flavor melding.
- Do not freeze this salad; freeze may alter the texture and quality.
- If leftovers dry out, toss with additional Italian dressing before serving.
- Consider withholding some dressing when refrigerating and adding it freshly before serving to prevent sogginess.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 12Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 334 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 334kcal | 17% |
| Carbohydrates | 34g | 11% |
| Protein | 13g | 26% |
| Fat | 16g | 25% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 24mg | 8% |
| Sodium | 951mg | 40% |
| Potassium | 312mg | 7% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 806IU | 16% |
| Vitamin C | 22mg | 24% |
| Calcium | 107mg | 11% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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