Description
Italian Pasta Salad is a vibrant and refreshing dish, perfect for warm-weather gatherings like picnics and barbecues. Bursting with flavor from tender rotini pasta, hearty turkey slices, and an array of colorful vegetables, this salad is not only easy to prepare but also customizable to suit your preferences. Tossed in a zesty homemade dressing, it delivers a delightful mix of textures and tastes that will impress family and friends alike. Enjoy it as a light main course or a satisfying side dish at your next gathering!
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz dry rotini
- 10 oz hard turkey slices (chopped)
- 3 cups grape tomatoes (halved)
- 1 can black olives (sliced)
- 2 cups chopped bell peppers
- 1/2 cup chopped red onion
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella pearls
- 3 oz freshly grated parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley and basil for garnish
- 1 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp dijon mustard
- 1 tsp honey
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the rotini according to package directions in salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Spread the drained pasta on a rimmed baking sheet to cool for about 15 minutes.
- While cooling, chop the vegetables and prepare the dressing by whisking olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, mustard, honey, garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- In an extra-large mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta with turkey slices, tomatoes, olives, bell peppers, red onion, mozzarella pearls, parmesan cheese, parsley, and basil.
- Pour the dressing over the salad mix along with reserved pasta water. Toss well to coat evenly. Adjust dressing consistency as desired by adding more pasta water if needed.
- Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (about 250g)
- Calories: 365
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 30mg