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Italian Pasta Salad Recipe

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4.2 from 59 reviews

A vibrant and fresh Italian Pasta Salad featuring whole wheat rotini, juicy grape tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, creamy mozzarella, and flavorful turkey pepperoni, all tossed in a tangy red wine vinegar and honey dressing. This quick and easy recipe is perfect for gatherings or a light meal, offering a delightful balance of textures and classic Italian flavors.

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 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 (about ½ cup)

Dressing

  • ½ cup red wine vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 5 teaspoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon smooth Dijon mustard
  • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ¼ teaspoon dried basil
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • Additional kosher salt to taste (up to ¼ – ½ teaspoon)

Instructions

  1. Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, add the cooled and rinsed whole wheat rotini, halved grape or cherry tomatoes, finely chopped cucumber, diced fresh mozzarella, quartered turkey pepperoni slices, and finely chopped red onion. Gently toss these ingredients together to distribute them evenly.
  2. Make the Dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the red wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, kosher salt, dried oregano, dried basil, and black pepper until the mixture is emulsified. Note that this dressing may not fully emulsify by whisking alone; for a more consistent texture, blend the dressing in a small food processor for one to two minutes if desired.
  3. Toss Salad with Dressing: Pour about half a cup of the dressing over the pasta salad and toss to coat all the ingredients well. If you plan to serve the salad immediately, you may add more dressing to taste at this stage. However, if preparing the salad ahead of time, reserve the remaining dressing to add just before serving to keep ingredients fresh.
  4. Season Before Serving: 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 according to your preference.

Notes

  • The dressing can be difficult to fully emulsify by whisking; using a food processor yields a smoother dressing.
  • Adding extra dressing right before serving helps maintain the salad’s freshness if made in advance.
  • Adjust salt at the end to prevent over-salting, since the pepperoni and cheese add saltiness.

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