Italian Pasta Salad
This Italian Pasta Salad is so good for lunches and dinners! And it takes no longer than 15 minutes to make, so what could be better?
Some tips and tricks for cooking Italian Pasta Salad:
Choose the Right Pasta
Use pasta with nooks and crannies or ridges to hold the dressing and other ingredients better. Rotini, penne, farfalle, or fusilli are great choices.
Cook the pasta al dente, as it will continue to absorb flavors and soften slightly once dressed.
Homemade Dressing is Key
While store-bought dressings are convenient, making your own dressing can elevate the salad’s flavor. Customize it to your preferences.
Make the dressing in advance, so it has time to meld and develop its full flavor.
Don’t Overdress
Add the dressing gradually, as you can always add more but can’t take it away. Overdressing can make the salad soggy.
Save a bit of dressing to refresh the salad just before serving if needed.
Chill Before Serving
Pasta salad tastes best when it’s chilled for a few hours before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and intensify.
Give it a good toss just before serving to distribute the dressing evenly.
Fresh Herbs and Seasoning
Fresh herbs, such as basil, parsley, or cilantro, can provide a burst of fresh flavor. Add them just before serving to retain their vibrancy.
Season your salad with salt, pepper, and any desired herbs or spices to enhance the overall taste.
Storage and Leftovers
Store pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It can be enjoyed for a few days.
Remember that pasta salad may become drier as it sits, so you may need to add a bit of dressing when serving leftovers.
Italian Pasta Salad
Ingredients
For the salad
- 400 g pasta
- 1 red bell pepper small
- 1 green bell pepper small
- 250 g cherry tomatoes
- 150 g mozzarella balls
- 50 g salami
- 50 g spicy salami or pepperoni
- 2 tbsp black olives
- 2 red onions small
- 1 tsp fresh parsley
- 80 g grated parmesan cheese
For the dressing
- 150 ml olive oil
- 3 tbsp white vine vinegar
- 100 ml water
- 1 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp herb seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Start with boiling your pasta until it's al dente. Set aside to cool down.
- Cut the bell peppers, tomatoes, olives, salami, red onions, parsley and put everything into a salad bowl.
- Add mozzarella balls and parmesan cheese.
- Make the dressing by mixing all the dressing ingredients together.
- Add cooled pasta and salad dressing to the salad bowl. Mix everything together.
