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The Best Pasta Salad Recipe

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4 from 83 reviews

A vibrant and flavorful pasta salad combining rotini pasta with a zesty homemade dressing, fresh vegetables, mozzarella cheese, salami, olives, and pepperoncini. Perfect for potlucks, picnics, and easy meal prep.

Ingredients

Dressing Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar (red wine vinegar works too)
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 2 cloves garlic (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 2 teaspoons each dry oregano and dry basil
  • Black pepper to taste
  • Fresh herbs if you want! (parsley, basil, or chives)

Salad Ingredients

  • 1 pound uncooked rotini pasta
  • One 10-oz. package cherry tomatoes, halved (about 2 cups)
  • 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese balls, halved if needed
  • 8 ounces salami, cut into cubes or thin strips
  • 1/2 cup pitted kalamata olives, sliced
  • 1 cup sliced pepperoncini
  • 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
  • 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Make Dressing: Blend the olive oil, white vinegar, water, kosher salt, garlic, sugar, dry oregano, dry basil, and black pepper in a small blender or food processor until well combined. Optionally add fresh herbs like parsley, basil, or chives to the dressing if desired.
  2. Cook Pasta: Bring 4 quarts of water and 1 tablespoon kosher salt to a boil in a large pot. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse thoroughly with cold water to stop cooking and cool it down. Toss the pasta with a little olive oil to prevent sticking.
  3. Toss Together: In a very large bowl, combine the cooked pasta with the cherry tomatoes, mozzarella cheese balls, cubed salami, kalamata olives, sliced pepperoncini, red onion, and chopped parsley. Pour the prepared dressing over the mixture and toss thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly. Add extra parsley on top for garnish if desired.

Notes

  • Salting the pasta water adds flavor directly to the pasta, making the salad more flavorful overall.
  • You can double the dressing if preparing the salad ahead of time or for larger batches. Dressing stored separately can penetrate flavors better upon mixing.
  • Salami varieties such as Genoa or Milano work well in this salad. Adjust according to your preference or dietary needs.
  • Rinsing pasta with cold water stops the cooking process and helps the salad remain cool and refreshing.
  • Adding fresh herbs at the end brightens flavors and adds a fresh aroma to the salad.

Find it online: https://recipethrive.com/the-best-pasta-salad-recipe/