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Italian Dressing Pasta Salad

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A vibrant, crowd-pleasing pasta salad with a homemade Italian dressing, savory meats, mozzarella pearls, and fresh vegetables.

Ingredients

1 pound rotini pasta

1/2 pound Genoa salami, diced

1/2 pound pepperoni, diced

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

1/2 cup green bell pepper, diced

1/2 cup yellow bell pepper, diced

1/2 red onion, thinly sliced

1/2 cup black olives, sliced

1/2 cup pepperoncini, sliced

1 cup mozzarella pearls

1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

2 tablespoons lemon juice

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

1 teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon dried parsley

1 teaspoon dried basil

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon paprika

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the rotini pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
  2. In a mason jar or mixing bowl, combine olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, grated Parmesan, sugar, dried parsley, dried basil, dried oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Shake or whisk until well combined.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, salami, pepperoni, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, red onion, black olives, pepperoncini, mozzarella pearls, Parmesan cheese, and parsley.
  4. Pour half of the prepared dressing over the salad and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
  5. Before serving, toss the salad with the remaining dressing and garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4–5 days.
  • This salad is best enjoyed cold or at room temperature. If you prefer to serve it warm, gently reheat in the microwave and add a splash of olive oil to refresh the flavors.
  • If making vegetarian, omit the salami and pepperoni and add extra vegetables like cucumbers or artichoke hearts.
  • For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://recipesbyjanet.com/italian-dressing-pasta-salad/