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Best Pasta Salad

This is the ultimate loaded pasta salad—bright, bold, and packed with everything you want in one bowl. Juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, savory salami, and a zesty Italian dressing come together for a dish that somehow tastes even better the next day.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Calories: 480
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb pasta rotini or similar
  • 3 cups cherry tomatoes halved
  • 8 oz mozzarella balls halved
  • 1 lb salami or summer sausage cubed
  • 0.75 cup kalamata olives sliced
  • 0.75 cup pepperoncini
  • 0.5 cup red onion sliced
  • 0.5 cup parsley fresh, chopped
  • 1.5 cups olive oil
  • 0.25 cup vinegar white or red wine
  • 0.25 cup water
  • 2 tbsp sea salt
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 2 tsp oregano dried
  • 2 tsp basil dried
  • black pepper to taste

Method
 

  1. Cook pasta in salted water, drain, and let cool slightly.
  2. Prepare dressing by mixing or shaking all dressing ingredients.
  3. Combine pasta with all salad ingredients in a large bowl.
  4. Pour in most of the dressing and toss to coat.
  5. Chill before serving and add extra dressing if needed.

Notes

This salad gets better as it sits—perfect for making ahead. Reserve some dressing to refresh leftovers before serving.