Description

This Easy Italian Antipasto Pasta Salad is a flavorful and colorful combination of rotini pasta, savory salami and pepperoni, fresh vegetables, olives, and mozzarella pearls, all tossed in a zesty Italian vinaigrette. Perfect for a quick lunch, picnic, or party side dish, it can be served immediately or chilled to let the flavors meld.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

8 oz. dry rotini pasta (or your favorite short pasta)

Meats

9 oz. hard salami, chopped (or ¾ cup presliced)
6.5 oz. pepperoni, chopped (or ½ cup presliced)

Vegetables & Herbs

1 cup canned artichoke hearts, drained & quartered
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup olives, pitted & halved (kalamata, green, or a mixture)
½ cup pepperoncini, sliced
¼ cup red onion, sliced thin
⅓ cup fresh basil, sliced thin

Dairy

8 oz. mozzarella pearls

Dressing

½ cup olive oil
¼ cup red wine vinegar
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
¼ tsp red pepper flakes
Salt & black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

Cook the pasta: Cook the dry rotini pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta thoroughly and set aside to cool completely before mixing with other ingredients.
Make the vinaigrette: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper until well combined. Chill this dressing in the refrigerator while preparing the salad ingredients.
Prepare your salad ingredients: Chop the hard salami and pepperoni if not pre-sliced. Halve the cherry tomatoes and olives, slice the pepperoncini and thinly slice the red onion and fresh basil leaves to prepare for the salad assembly.
Mix & chill: In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta with the salami, pepperoni, artichoke hearts, tomatoes, olives, pepperoncini, mozzarella pearls, red onion, and basil. Pour the prepared vinaigrette over the mixture and toss gently until everything is evenly coated. You can serve immediately or cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour to enhance the flavors.
Serve: Before serving, optionally sprinkle shredded parmesan and extra fresh basil over each serving for added flavor and garnish. Enjoy your Italian Antipasto Pasta Salad chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

Use your favorite short pasta shape if rotini is not available, such as penne or fusilli.
Chilling the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes based on your preferred spice level.
For a vegetarian version, omit the salami and pepperoni and add more vegetables like cucumbers or bell peppers.
This salad stores well in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, but best consumed fresh.