Description
Homemade antipasto pasta salad combines Italian-inspired ingredients for a delightful summer meal. Colorful herbs, cheeses, and cured meats create a fresh Mediterranean-style dish you will enjoy at picnics or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz (340g) rotini or penne pasta
- 1 cup (100g) diced salami or pepperoni
- 1 cup (100g) mozzarella balls or cubes
- 1 cup (150g) cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup (75g) sliced black or green olives
- ½ cup (75g) roasted red peppers, diced
- ¼ cup (30g) artichoke hearts, chopped
- ¼ cup (30g) red onion, thinly sliced
- ⅓ cup (80ml) olive oil
- 3 tbsps red wine vinegar
- 2 tbsps fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tbsps fresh basil, chopped
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Cook pasta in heavily salted water until al dente, then rapidly cool under cold water to stop cooking and prevent sticking, ensuring a perfect texture.
- Vinaigrette Creation: Whisk olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper into a harmonious, emulsified dressing that will infuse the salad with robust flavor profiles.
- Ingredient Assembly: Combine chilled pasta with cherry tomatoes, salami, mozzarella, kalamata olives, roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, and red onion in a large mixing bowl, creating a vibrant and textural Mediterranean-inspired composition.
- Flavor Infusion: Gently pour prepared vinaigrette over the pasta mixture, carefully folding to coat all ingredients evenly, allowing each component to absorb the aromatic dressing’s nuanced flavors.
- Final Refinement: Refrigerate salad for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld, then garnish with freshly chopped parsley and basil leaves just before serving, elevating the dish with a bright, herbaceous finish.
Notes
- Prevent Pasta Clumping: Rinse pasta immediately with cold water after cooking to stop the cooking process and prevent sticky, clumped noodles.
- Balance Dressing Flavor: Taste and adjust vinaigrette seasoning before adding to salad, ensuring a perfect balance of tanginess and herb intensity.
- Maximize Ingredient Freshness: Chop vegetables and ingredients just before mixing to maintain crisp texture and vibrant flavors.
- Enhance Marination Time: Refrigerate salad for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and develop deeper, more complex taste profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 40mg