Description
Antipasto Pasta Salad is a vibrant mix of pasta, cured meats, cheeses, fresh vegetables, olives, and herbs tossed in a zesty Italian dressing. It offers a perfect balance of savory, tangy, and smoky flavors, making it great for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces rotini or penne pasta
- 1 cup sliced salami, chopped
- 1 cup pepperoni slices, halved
- 1 cup mozzarella balls (bocconcini), halved
- ½ cup provolone, cubed
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup diced cucumber
- ½ cup sliced red onion
- 1 cup diced bell peppers (red and yellow)
- ½ cup sliced black olives
- ½ cup artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
- ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water. Set aside to drain completely.
- In a medium bowl, whisk olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, dried oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper until emulsified. Adjust seasoning as needed.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, salami, pepperoni, mozzarella, provolone, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell peppers, red onion, olives, artichoke hearts, fresh basil, and parsley.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour to let flavors meld. Toss again before serving and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
- Cook pasta until al dente to maintain a firm texture in the salad.
- Use fresh herbs for vibrant flavor and aroma.
- Let the salad rest for at least one hour to enhance the flavor blend.
- Feel free to substitute or omit ingredients to suit your preferences or pantry items.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature depending on your preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing and Tossing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
Keywords: antipasto pasta salad, Italian salad, pasta salad with meats and cheese, cold pasta salad, summer salad