Description
This Zesty Italian Pasta Salad is perfect for your next potluck. It is easy to make and packed with fresh flavor. You will love the simple, bright dressing and the mix-ins that make this dish a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound rotini or other short pasta
- 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, chopped
- 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
- 1/2 cup green bell pepper, chopped
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup cubed provolone cheese
- 1/2 cup cubed salami or pepperoni (optional)
- For the Dressing:
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse immediately with cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside to cool.
- While the pasta cools, prepare the dressing. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, tomatoes, cucumber, olives, bell pepper, red onion, cheese, and meat (if using).
- Pour the prepared dressing over the pasta mixture.
- Toss everything gently until the pasta and vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together.
- Give the salad a final toss before serving at your potluck.
Notes
- For an extra layer of flavor, add 1/4 cup of bottled Italian dressing to the homemade dressing mixture.
- You can prepare the salad a day ahead; the flavors deepen overnight.
- Feel free to add other mix-ins like marinated artichoke hearts or banana peppers for extra zest.
- If you skip the meat, this salad remains a great vegetarian option.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Bake/Cold
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 20mg