Pasta Salad
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Pasta Salad
This easy pasta salad is a cookout staple, with tender rotini, crisp vegetables, salami, and mozzarella in a zesty Italian dressing. It feeds a crowd, travels well, and tastes even better after an hour in the fridge. Make it the morning of your gathering and let the flavors come together while you handle everything else.
Ingredients
- 1 pound rotini pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 cup diced mozzarella
- 4 ounces salami, diced
- 1/2 cup sliced black olives
- 1/2 red onion, finely diced
- 3/4 cup Italian dressing
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Directions
- Cook the rotini in salted boiling water until al dente, about 10 minutes.
- Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking.
- In a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, cucumber, mozzarella, salami, olives, and red onion.
- Add the cooled pasta to the bowl.
- Pour the Italian dressing over the top and toss to coat.
- Stir in the Parmesan and season with salt and pepper.
- Chill for at least 1 hour before serving.
Tips and variations
- Rinse the pasta under cold water after draining so it cools fast and stops sticking.
- Make it a few hours ahead and let it rest in the fridge so the flavors meld.
- The pasta soaks up dressing as it sits, so save a splash to refresh it before serving.
- Swap in any vegetables you like, such as bell peppers, broccoli, or artichoke hearts.
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Common questions
- Can I make pasta salad ahead
- Yes. It is best made a few hours ahead so the flavors meld. Keep a little extra dressing to toss in before serving since the pasta absorbs it.
- What pasta shape works best
- Short shapes with ridges like rotini, fusilli, or penne hold the dressing well and catch the small bits of vegetables and cheese.
- How long does it last
- Stored covered in the fridge, it keeps for up to 3 days. Stir and refresh with a splash of dressing before serving leftovers.
- Can I make it vegetarian
- Yes. Leave out the salami and add more vegetables, chickpeas, or extra mozzarella for a hearty meatless version.
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