Print

Zesty Italian Pasta Salad Recipe

Zesty Italian Pasta Salad Recipe
Print Recipe

★★★★★

5.2 from 21 reviews

This Zesty Italian Pasta Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish featuring rotini pasta tossed with a homemade Italian dressing, savory pepperoni and salami, fresh vegetables like cherry tomatoes and bell peppers, black olives, red onion, pepperoncini, and creamy mozzarella pearls. Perfect for potlucks, picnics, or as a refreshing side, it combines zesty, tangy, and savory flavors with a satisfying mix of textures.

Ingredients

Scale

Italian Dressing

  • 1 recipe homemade Italian Dressing

Pasta Salad

  • 1 lb. rotini pasta
  • 3.5–4 oz. pepperoni, quartered (about ¾ cup)
  • 4 oz. sliced salami, quartered (about ¾ cup)
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup black olives, drained and halved
  • 1 orange bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • ½ cup finely diced red onion
  • 2 tablespoons chopped pepperoncini
  • 8 oz. fresh mozzarella pearls
  • Parmesan cheese, for garnish
  • Fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Italian Dressing: Make the homemade Italian dressing according to the recipe provided. Once ready, refrigerate until use, and shake well to recombine before adding it to the pasta salad.
  2. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta thoroughly and transfer it to a large serving bowl while still warm.
  3. Toss Pasta with Dressing: Pour half of the prepared Italian dressing over the warm pasta and toss gently to coat all the noodles evenly.
  4. Add Salad Ingredients: Add the quartered pepperoni and salami, halved cherry tomatoes, black olives, chopped orange and green bell peppers, finely diced red onion, chopped pepperoncini, and mozzarella pearls to the bowl. Toss all ingredients gently to combine.
  5. Chill the Salad: For best flavor and texture, cover the pasta salad and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, up to 24 hours. Keep the remaining dressing refrigerated separately.
  6. Serve and Garnish: When ready to serve, toss the salad again with the remaining Italian dressing. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

  • Chilling the salad for several hours allows the flavors to meld and enhances the taste.
  • You can prepare the salad a day ahead for convenience.
  • Make sure to toss the salad gently to avoid breaking down the ingredients like the mozzarella pearls.
  • Use quality Italian dressing or make fresh for the best flavor.
  • Gluten-free pasta can be used to make the salad gluten-free.
  • Adjust the amount of pepperoncini for your preferred heat level.

Nutrition

Keywords: Italian pasta salad, rotini pasta salad, zesty pasta salad, Italian dressing salad, pepperoni pasta salad, cold pasta salad, picnic salad

Find it online: https://dailysimplerecipe.com/zesty-italian-pasta-salad-recipe/