Description
Italian antipasto pasta salad brings Mediterranean charm to your table, blending zesty salami, tangy olives, and fresh herbs with perfectly al dente pasta. Crisp vegetables and rich dressing create a delightful harmony you’ll crave at every summer gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein and Pasta:
- 1 cup (100g) diced salami or pepperoni
- 1 cup (100g) mozzarella balls or cubes
- 12 oz (340g) rotini or penne pasta
Vegetables and Herbs:
- 1 cup (150g) cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup (75g) sliced black or green olives
- ½ cup (75g) roasted red peppers, diced
- ¼ cup (30g) artichoke hearts, chopped
- ¼ cup (30g) red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
Dressing Ingredients:
- ⅓ cup (80ml) olive oil
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Boil the pasta in generously salted water until perfectly tender, ensuring it maintains a slight firmness. Immediately cool the pasta under cold running water to halt the cooking process and prevent clumping.
- Create a vibrant vinaigrette by vigorously whisking together robust olive oil, tangy red wine vinegar, zesty Dijon mustard, minced garlic, aromatic oregano, and a pinch of salt and pepper until the mixture becomes smooth and unified.
- In a spacious mixing vessel, gently combine the chilled pasta with a colorful medley of ingredients: juicy cherry tomatoes, savory salami slices, creamy mozzarella cubes, briny olives, smoky roasted red peppers, tender artichoke hearts, and sharp red onion pieces.
- Drizzle the prepared dressing over the pasta mixture, using a gentle folding technique to ensure every ingredient is evenly coated and seasoned.
- Allow the salad to rest in the refrigerator for a minimum of 30 minutes, enabling the flavors to intertwine and develop complexity. Just before serving, sprinkle freshly chopped parsley and basil leaves as a final aromatic garnish.
Notes
- Choose short pasta shapes like rotini or penne that catch dressing and hold ingredients perfectly in every bite.
- Drain pasta completely and cool quickly to prevent clumping and maintain a fresh, light texture for the salad.
- Marinate the salad for at least an hour to enhance flavor absorption and allow ingredients to blend harmoniously.
- Customize protein options by substituting salami with grilled chicken, tofu, or plant-based alternatives for dietary preferences.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 445
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 610mg
- Fat: 31g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 25mg