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Flavorful Italian Pasta Salad with Salami and Mozzarella

italian pasta salad with salami and mozzarella - featured image
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A quick and easy Italian pasta salad featuring rotini pasta, salami, fresh mozzarella, and a zesty Italian dressing. Perfect for summer picnics and gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz rotini pasta or your favorite short pasta
  • 8 oz salami, sliced into bite-sized pieces
  • 8 oz fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini), halved
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup cucumber, diced
  • ½ cup black olives, sliced (optional)
  • ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, torn
  • ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 tsp dried oregano (or 1 tbsp fresh, finely chopped)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  2. Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse under cold running water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta. Drain well and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Whisk until smooth and slightly thickened.
  4. Add the sliced salami, halved mozzarella balls, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, sliced black olives, and thinly sliced red onion to the bowl with pasta.
  5. Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients. Gently toss everything together to coat evenly. Add torn fresh basil leaves last and give a final light toss.
  6. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to let flavors marry and chill.

Notes

Do not overdress the salad; start with most of the dressing and add more if needed. Pat mozzarella dry to avoid sogginess. Rinse pasta under cold water to stop cooking and prevent stickiness. Add basil at the end to keep it fresh and green.

Nutrition

Keywords: Italian pasta salad, salami pasta salad, mozzarella salad, summer picnic recipe, easy pasta salad, rotini pasta salad

Find it online: https://avabowls.com/flavorful-italian-pasta-salad-with-salami-and-mozzarella-easy-recipe-for-summer-picnics/