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Easy Italian Pasta Salad Recipe

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4.1 from 44 reviews

This Easy Italian Pasta Salad is a vibrant and refreshing dish perfect for quick lunches or light dinners. Made with whole wheat rotini, fresh vegetables, turkey pepperoni, and a tangy homemade Italian dressing, it combines wholesome ingredients with classic flavors. Ready in just 23 minutes and serving 10, it’s an ideal recipe for gatherings or meal prep.

Ingredients

Pasta and Vegetables

  • 12 ounces whole wheat rotini, cooked according to package instructions, drained and rinsed in cold water
  • 1½ cups halved grape or cherry tomatoes
  • 1 cup finely chopped seedless English cucumber (about ½ of a cucumber)
  • 1/3 cup finely chopped red onion

Cheese and Meat

  • 6 ounces diced fresh mozzarella (½” cubes to equal about 1 cup)
  • 2 ounces turkey pepperoni, slices quartered (to equal about ½ cup)

Dressing

  • 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 5 teaspoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon smooth Dijon mustard
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Additional kosher salt to taste (up to about ¼ – ½ teaspoon)

Instructions

  1. Combine salad ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the cooled whole wheat rotini, halved grape or cherry tomatoes, finely chopped cucumber, diced fresh mozzarella, quartered turkey pepperoni slices, and finely chopped red onion until evenly distributed.
  2. Prepare the dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together red wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, kosher salt, dried oregano, dried basil, and black pepper until the dressing is emulsified. Note that the dressing may be difficult to emulsify completely; for a smoother texture, blend the dressing in a small food processor for one to two minutes.
  3. Toss salad with dressing: Pour about half a cup of the dressing over the salad mixture and toss gently to combine. If serving immediately, you may add more dressing at this time to taste. For make-ahead preparations, reserve the remaining dressing to add just before serving.
  4. Season to taste: Just before serving, taste the salad and season with additional kosher salt as needed, up to about ¼ to ½ teaspoon, to enhance the flavors.

Notes

  • The dressing can be blended in a small food processor to achieve complete emulsification if desired.
  • When making the salad ahead of time, add only half the dressing initially and toss with the remainder just before serving to keep the pasta from becoming soggy.
  • Adjust additional kosher salt at the end to suit personal taste preferences.

Find it online: https://justsosavory.com/easy-italian-pasta-salad-recipe/