Italian Pasta Salad

Italian Pasta Salad is an easy, make-ahead recipe that is perfect for meal prep. Every bite is loaded with rotini, salami, fresh mozzarella, olives, and healthy vegetables, and it all comes together with a homemade creamy Italian Dressing.

Salad Ingredients:

  • 8 oz Rotini Pasta (can also use tri-color)
  • 6 oz Salami, sliced into strips
  • 10 oz Cherry tomatoes, halved (3 cups or 1 pint)
  • 1/2 English Cucumber, diced
  • 1/2 medium Red Onion, diced
  • 8 oz Fresh Mozzarella Pearls (or mozzarella balls halved)
  • 1/2 cup Black Olives, pitted and sliced
  • 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
  • 1/2 cup Roasted Red Peppers, coarsely chopped
  • 1/3 cup parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 cup Italian Dressing

Dressing Ingredients:

  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 Tbsp white wine vinegar
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated
  • 1 Tbsp mayonnaise
  • 1 tsp granulated sugar
  • 1 garlic clove finely grated or pressed
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp dried parsley
  • 1/2 tsp dried basil
  • 3/4 fine sea salt or added to taste
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper or to taste

Directions:

Salad

  1. Cook rotini pasta according to package instructions in salted water just until pasta is aldente (firm to the bite).
  2. While pasta cooks, prep remaining ingredients and make Italian Dressing.
  3. Add dressing just to the portion fo salad you plan to eat. Enjoy right away or cover and let the salad marinate for 1-3 hours before serving.

Dressing

Italian Dressing is so much better homemade because you can add the best quality ingredients without any additives. This zesty Italian Dressing Recipe tastes fantastic and keeps really well in the refrigerator.

  1. Combine all ingredients in a mason jar, cover tightly with lid and shake until well combined and emulsified.* Add more salt to taste if desired. Use right away or refrigerate up to 2 weeks.