Italian Pasta Salad Recipe

Method7 steps

1. 1

   Step 1: Bring a large pot of pasta cooking water to a boil over high heat. Prepare the chopped vegetables, herbs, salami and mozzarella as listed while the water heats.

   Uses Water, enough to boil the pasta in a large pot

2. 2

   Step 2: Whisk the dressing’s ¼ cup olive oil, 2 tbsp white wine vinegar, minced garlic, oregano and ½–1 tsp red pepper flakes in a small bowl. Season with the dressing salt and black pepper to taste and set aside.

   Uses ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil, for the dressing · 2 tbsp white wine vinegar, for the dressing · 2 garlic cloves, minced · 1 tsp dried oregano · ½–1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes · Kosher salt, to taste, for the dressing · Black pepper, to taste, for the dressing

   
3. 3

   Step 3: Generously salt the boiling pasta water with the cooking salt. Add the 12 oz dry pasta and cook to al dente according to its package directions. Drain well and put the cooked pasta in a large mixing bowl.

   Uses Boiling pasta cooking water · Kosher salt, enough to generously season the pasta cooking water · 12 oz dry fusilli or rotini

   
4. 4

   Step 4: Add the halved tomatoes, chopped bell pepper (1) and shallot (1), marinated artichoke hearts, olives, chopped pepperoncini (6), salami (6–8 oz), mozzarella (6 oz), parsley (½) and basil (½) to the drained pasta.

   Uses Drained cooked pasta · 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved · 1 bell pepper, any color, cored and chopped · 1 shallot, chopped · 1 cup (6 oz) marinated artichoke hearts · ¼ cup pitted Kalamata olives · 6 pepperoncini, chopped · 6–8 oz ready-to-eat salami, cut into bite-size pieces

   
5. 5

   Step 5: Pour all the prepared dressing over the pasta salad and toss gently to coat evenly.

   Uses Pasta and salad ingredients · Complete Italian dressing

6. 6

   Step 6: Optional flavor rest: refrigerate the dressed salad for about 30 minutes before serving. Skip this wait if serving immediately.

   Optional pasta salad flavor rest · 30 minUses Dressed pasta salad for optional flavor rest

7. 7

   Step 7: Serve either the freshly dressed salad or the salad from the optional refrigerated flavor rest. This batch gives ten side portions. Refrigerate leftovers promptly in a tightly closed container for up to 4 days.

   Uses Freshly dressed salad only if immediate route selected · Complete chilled salad, only for the optional flavor-rest route