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Flavorful Grinder Pasta Salad with Zesty Italian Dressing

Flavorful Grinder Pasta Salad - featured image
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A quick and easy pasta salad featuring rotini, fresh veggies, salami, mozzarella, and a homemade zesty Italian dressing. Perfect for potlucks, picnics, or a flavorful lunch.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces rotini pasta
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup cucumber, diced
  • 1 cup green bell pepper, diced
  • ½ cup red onion, finely chopped
  • ½ cup black olives, sliced
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup deli-style salami or pepperoni, sliced (optional)
  • ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon dried basil
  • ½ teaspoon sugar
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 ounces rotini pasta and cook according to package directions, about 8-10 minutes until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain in a colander and rinse briefly under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside to drain well.
  2. While the pasta cooks, halve 1 cup cherry tomatoes, dice 1 cup cucumber, 1 cup green bell pepper, and finely chop ½ cup red onion. Slice ½ cup black olives and ½ cup deli salami or pepperoni (if using). Set aside.
  3. In a small bowl or jar, combine ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil, 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, ½ teaspoon dried basil, ½ teaspoon sugar, and salt and pepper to taste. Whisk vigorously or shake jar until fully emulsified and slightly thickened. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chopped vegetables, olives, salami, and 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese. Pour the dressing over and toss gently but thoroughly to coat every piece.
  5. Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Give it a gentle toss before serving.
  6. If the pasta salad feels dry after chilling, add a splash more olive oil or a tablespoon of reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
  7. Serve chilled or at room temperature alongside grilled dishes or fresh bread.

Notes

Rinse pasta after cooking to prevent mushiness. Adjust salt carefully due to cured meats and cheese. Prepare dressing and chop veggies ahead for deeper flavor. Add more olive oil or reserved pasta water if salad is dry after chilling. Serve chilled or at room temperature. Store leftovers in airtight container up to 3 days. Freeze pasta and dressing separately if needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, Italian dressing, rotini pasta, zesty dressing, picnic salad, potluck recipe, easy pasta salad, grinder pasta salad

Find it online: https://juliamadeit.com/flavorful-grinder-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-zesty-italian-dressing-guide/