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Flavorful Grinder Pasta Salad Recipe with Italian Dressing and Salami for Easy Summer Meals

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A bold and satisfying pasta salad featuring rotini, savory salami, fresh veggies, and a tangy homemade Italian dressing. Perfect for quick summer meals, barbecues, or casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces rotini or other short pasta
  • 1 cup sliced salami, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup diced bell peppers (red, yellow, and green mix)
  • ½ cup chopped red onion
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ½ cup sliced black olives (optional)
  • ½ cup shredded mozzarella or provolone cheese
  • ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon honey or sugar

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces rotini and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 9-11 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  2. Drain pasta in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Drain well and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil, 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, ½ teaspoon dried basil, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 minced garlic clove, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional), and 1 teaspoon honey until fully combined and slightly thickened.
  4. Dice 1 cup bell peppers, chop ½ cup red onion, halve 1 cup cherry tomatoes, slice ½ cup black olives, and cut 1 cup salami into bite-sized pieces.
  5. Add the chopped vegetables, salami, and ½ cup shredded mozzarella to the bowl with the cooled pasta.
  6. Pour the Italian dressing over the salad and toss gently but thoroughly to coat everything evenly. Adjust seasoning with salt or pepper if needed.
  7. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and pasta to soak up the dressing.
  8. Before serving, give the salad a quick stir and optionally sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley or basil.

Notes

Rinse pasta under cold water immediately after cooking to prevent mushiness. Use good-quality salami for best flavor. Whisk mustard first to emulsify dressing better. Chill salad at least 30 minutes before serving for best flavor. Add dressing gradually to avoid sogginess. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta; for vegetarian, substitute salami with marinated artichokes or roasted mushrooms.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, Italian dressing, salami, summer meals, easy recipe, rotini pasta, picnic food, quick dinner

Find it online: https://elvafood.com/flavorful-grinder-pasta-salad-recipe-with-italian-dressing-and-salami-for-easy-summer-meals/