Description
Italian Deli Pasta Salad is a vibrant and flavor-packed dish that combines the best of Italian deli meats, fresh vegetables, and a tantalizing homemade dressing.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. of rotini pasta
- 3.5–4 oz. of quartered pepperoni
- 4 oz. of quartered Genoa salami
- 1 pint of halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup of halved black olives
- 1 chopped orange bell pepper
- 1 chopped green bell pepper
- 1/2 cup of finely diced red onion
- 2 tbsp of chopped pepperoncini
- 8 oz. of mozzarella pearls
- 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup of red wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp of lemon juice
- 2 tbsp of finely grated Parmesan
- 1 tsp of sugar
- 1 tsp of dried parsley
- 1 tsp of dried basil
- 1 tsp of dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp of garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp of onion powder
- 1/2 tsp of paprika
Instructions
1. Start by boiling the rotini pasta according to the package directions until it’s al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down.
2. While the pasta is cooking, take the time to prep and chop all the other ingredients. Slice the pepperoni and salami, halve the cherry tomatoes and black olives, dice the bell peppers and red onion, and prepare the mozzarella pearls and pepperoncini.
3. In a jar or bowl, whisk together all the dressing ingredients until they’re well combined. The combination of olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, Parmesan, and dried herbs and spices will create a flavorful and zesty dressing for your Italian Deli Pasta Salad.
4. In a large bowl, combine the cooled rotini pasta, the prepared meats, vegetables, mozzarella pearls, and pepperoncini. Pour the dressing over the top and toss gently to ensure everything is evenly coated.
5. Cover the Italian Deli Pasta Salad and refrigerate it for at least an hour, allowing the flavors to meld together. When ready to serve, garnish the salad with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley.
Notes
This Italian Deli Pasta Salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The flavors will continue to develop, and the salad will be just as delicious (if not more so) the next day.
While the classic Italian Deli Pasta Salad includes the ingredients listed, you can easily customize it to your liking. Try adding other deli meats like capicola or prosciutto, or swap out the vegetables for your favorite fresh produce.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 15
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Cold Salad
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 450
- Calories: 2
- Sugar: 500
- Sodium: 15
- Fat: 5
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Unsaturated Fat: 0
- Trans Fat: 20
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 12
- Cholesterol: 0