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Fresh Summer Pasta Salad Recipe with Italian Dressing and Salami

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A quick and easy pasta salad combining tangy Italian dressing with savory salami and fresh veggies, perfect for picnics and warm days.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces rotini pasta (or any bite-sized pasta you prefer)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced
  • 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
  • 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
  • 6 ounces sliced salami, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/2 cup Italian dressing (store-bought or homemade)
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Optional garnishes: fresh basil leaves, chopped
  • Optional garnishes: grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions, usually about 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Drain pasta in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool it down.
  2. While pasta cooks, halve 1 cup cherry tomatoes, dice 1 medium cucumber and 1/2 cup red bell pepper, and slice 1/2 cup black olives. Cut 6 ounces of salami into bite-sized pieces.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup Italian dressing, 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (optional), 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and salt and pepper to taste.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chopped veggies, and salami. Pour the dressing over and toss gently but thoroughly to coat everything evenly.
  5. Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors marry. Before serving, give it one last gentle toss and sprinkle with optional chopped fresh basil and grated Parmesan if desired.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta; rinse with cold water to stop cooking and cool pasta. Use good-quality Italian dressing for best flavor. Toss gently to avoid breaking pasta. Chill at least 30 minutes for best flavor. Dressing can be kept separate if prepping ahead to keep salad fresh. Add extra dressing or olive oil if salad dries out after refrigeration.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, summer salad, Italian dressing, salami, picnic dish, easy pasta salad, rotini pasta salad

Find it online: https://daintydine.com/fresh-summer-pasta-salad-recipe-with-italian-dressing-and-salami-easy-perfect-picnic-dish/