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Easy Zesty Italian Pasta Salad

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A bright and tangy pasta salad perfect for feeding a crowd, featuring tri-color rotini, fresh vegetables, and a zesty Italian dressing. Quick and easy to prepare, ideal for potlucks and summer gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) tri-color rotini pasta
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped (optional)
  • 1 cup black olives, sliced
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup pepperoni slices or cubed salami (optional)
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 1 pound tri-color rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions, about 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  2. Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. Shake well to remove excess water. Transfer pasta to a large mixing bowl.
  3. While pasta cooks, halve cherry tomatoes, dice cucumber and red bell pepper, finely chop red onion (optional), slice black olives, and shred mozzarella cheese. If using, slice pepperoni or cubed salami.
  4. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, crushed red pepper flakes, sugar, salt, and pepper until well combined and slightly thickened.
  5. Pour the dressing over the pasta in the large bowl. Add all prepared vegetables, cheese, and meat (if using). Toss gently but thoroughly to coat everything evenly.
  6. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to let the flavors meld. Give it a gentle toss right before serving to redistribute the dressing.

Notes

Do not overcook the pasta; al dente texture is best. Rinse pasta under cold water to stop cooking and prevent mushiness. Chill for at least 1 hour to let flavors meld. Adjust seasoning after chilling. Use tri-color rotini for best dressing adherence. For vegetarian or vegan versions, omit meat and cheese or substitute with plant-based alternatives. Gluten-free pasta can be used to make the recipe gluten-free.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, Italian pasta salad, zesty pasta salad, tri-color rotini salad, crowd-pleaser, potluck recipe, easy pasta salad

Find it online: https://gleamgulp.com/easy-zesty-italian-pasta-salad-recipe-perfect-for-a-crowd/