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Easy Italian Pasta Salad

Easy Italian Pasta Salad: A Refreshing Make-Ahead Delight

Easy Italian Pasta Salad is a delightful and stress-free dish, perfect for family gatherings and potlucks.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chilling Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Salads
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 1 lb pasta (Rotini or fusilli) Provides the structure and base for the salad.
  • 1.5 Green Bell Pepper (finely diced) Adds crunch and freshness.
  • 1.5 Red Bell Pepper (finely diced) Gives sweetness and vibrant color.
  • 1 Red Onion (finely diced) Enhances the flavor with mild sweetness.
  • 0.5 cup Black Olives (sliced) Introduces a briny element.
  • 10 oz Salami (cut into ½ inch cubes) Offers a savory protein source.
  • 1.25 cup Mozzarella Cheese (cubed) Adds creaminess and mild flavor.
  • 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes (halved) Provides juiciness and acidity.
  • 0.75 cup Parmesan Cheese (grated) Contributes umami richness.
  • 1 cup Italian Dressing The base for flavor infusion.
  • Salt & Pepper Essential for enhancing the overall flavors.

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Mixing Bowl
  • cutting board
  • Knife

Method
 

Preparation Steps
  1. Begin by finely dicing the green and red bell peppers, as well as the red onion.
  2. Halve the cherry tomatoes and cube the salami and mozzarella cheese.
  3. Lay everything out on your cutting board to visualize your colorful components.
  4. In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil over high heat.
  5. Once boiling, add the rotini or fusilli pasta, and cook for about 8-10 minutes until al dente.
  6. Drain the pasta, making sure not to rinse it.
  7. In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm pasta with the diced bell peppers, red onion, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced black olives, cubes of salami, and mozzarella cheese.
  8. Pour the Italian dressing over the pasta and vegetables, and toss gently to coat.
  9. Cover the mixing bowl with plastic wrap or a lid, and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 1 hour.
  10. After chilling, gently toss the salad again before serving.
  11. Serve in a big bowl or individual portions.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 15gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 250mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 900IUVitamin C: 45mgCalcium: 250mgIron: 2mg

Notes

This salad is perfect for making ahead and allows the flavors to meld beautifully over time.

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