Italian Pasta Salad with Homemade Dressing
Italian pasta salad with rotini, salami, mozzarella, tomatoes and olives in a zesty homemade Italian dressing. Great for potlucks and packed lunches.
26% of it needs you at the counter
- Hands-on
- 25 min
- Cooking
- 10 min
- Resting
- 1 hr
- Serves
- 10
- Calories
- 430
- Protein
- 16 g
- Per serving
- $1.97
Why this recipe works
Pasta salad is the make-ahead side that doubles as a packed lunch all week. The common complaint is that it turns dry overnight because the pasta absorbs the dressing, so this recipe holds a little back to add just before serving.
- Dressing the pasta while it's still slightly warm lets it soak up flavor instead of just being coated.
- A homemade dressing with red wine vinegar, garlic and oregano is brighter and less sweet than most bottled ones.
- Rotini's spirals trap the dressing and small bits, so every forkful gets a bit of everything.
Ingredients
For the dressing
To serve
You will need
- Large pot
- Colander
- Very large mixing bowl
- Jar with a lid or small bowl
Method
Tap a step number to mark it done.
Cook the pasta
Boil the rotini in well-salted water until just al dente. Drain and rinse briefly with cool water until just warm, then drain well.
Make the dressing
Shake or whisk the olive oil, vinegar, Dijon, garlic, oregano, sugar, salt and pepper until combined.
Dress the pasta
Toss the warm pasta with about two-thirds of the dressing in the large bowl and let it cool completely.
Add the mix-ins
Add the tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, onion, olives, pepperoncini, salami, mozzarella and Parmesan and toss.
Chill
Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour. Toss with the remaining dressing just before serving.
Cook's notes
- Cook the pasta to firm al dente. It keeps softening as it sits in the dressing.
- Soak the sliced red onion in cold water for 10 minutes if you want a milder bite.
- Keeps for up to 4 days in the fridge. Refresh leftovers with a splash of olive oil and vinegar.
Nutrition per serving
430 calories
$1.97 estimated cost per serving
Where the calories come from
| Protein | 15% of calories | 16 g |
|---|---|---|
| Carbs | 37% of calories | 40 g |
| Fat | 48% of calories | 23 g |
| Fiber | 3 g | |
| Sodium | 660 mg |
Calculated from USDA FoodData Central values for the listed ingredients and amounts; not lab-tested. Cost estimated from average US retail prices.
Questions people ask
How long is pasta salad with Italian dressing good for?
Up to 4 days covered in the fridge. Don't leave it out for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour on a hot day.
Why does my pasta salad get dry?
Pasta keeps absorbing dressing as it sits. Hold back some dressing and add it right before serving.
Can I use bottled Italian dressing?
Yes, about 1 cup. The homemade dressing takes 2 minutes and is less sweet, but bottled works in a pinch.
