Italian Pasta Salad
Italian Pasta Salad is the perfect dish for any gathering, blending vibrant colors and fresh ingredients into a delightful meal. This refreshing salad features tender rotini pasta tossed with juicy grape tomatoes, crunchy bell peppers, zesty olives, and savory turkey slices, all coated in a tangy homemade dressing. Ideal for summer picnics or family dinners, this versatile recipe can be customized to your tastes. Make it ahead of time for easy meal prep—this flavorful salad can be enjoyed cold or at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately 8 people 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz. dry rotini pasta
- 10 oz. hard turkey slices (chopped)
- 3 cups grape tomatoes (halved)
- 1 (6 oz.) can black olives (sliced)
- 2 cups bell peppers (chopped)
- 1/2 cup red onion (chopped)
- 8 oz. fresh mozzarella pearls
- 3 oz. freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/3 cup chopped fresh basil
- 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 pasta in salted water until al dente; reserve some pasta water before draining.
- Spread cooked pasta on a baking sheet to cool for about 15 minutes.
- While cooling, chop turkey and vegetables; whisk together dressing ingredients.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta with turkey, veggies, cheese, and herbs.
- Pour dressing over the mixture and toss well; adjust seasoning as needed.
- Chill for at least 1 hour before serving or enjoy immediately.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 560mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Find it online: https://kitchenbyskylar.com/italian-pasta-salad/