Description
Easy Italian Antipasto Pasta Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish that combines the best of Italian antipasto elements with pasta, making it an ideal choice for any gathering or meal prep. This salad features a delightful mix of savory meats, fresh vegetables, and a zesty homemade vinaigrette, creating a satisfying blend of textures and tastes. With its quick preparation time and customizable ingredients, you can easily adapt this recipe to suit your preferences or the season. Serve it as a main dish or as a side, and watch it disappear at picnics, potlucks, or family dinners.
Ingredients
- 8 oz dry rotini pasta
- 9 oz hard salami, chopped
- 6.5 oz pepperoni, chopped
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup olives, pitted & halved
- 8 oz mozzarella pearls
- ½ cup pepperoncini, sliced
- ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
- ⅓ cup fresh basil, sliced
- For the vinaigrette: olive oil, red apple vinegar, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Cook the rotini according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and let cool.
- In a bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, garlic, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper for the vinaigrette.
- Prepare all salad ingredients by chopping meats and vegetables into bite-sized pieces.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta with all prepared ingredients. Pour dressing over salad and toss until evenly coated.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving for enhanced flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (200g)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: Feel free to customize with your favorite vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini. For a vegan version, omit meats and cheese; add chickpeas for protein. This salad can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.