Italian-Style Pasta Salad Recipe 🍝

Overview:

Italian-Style Pasta Salad is a versatile dish that marries the flavors of Italy with the convenience of a salad. It’s perfect for potlucks, quick meals, or as a side dish alongside your favorite entrees. This recipe offers a delightful blend of rotini pasta, fresh vegetables, cheeses, and a tangy homemade dressing. What’s more, it’s customizable, allowing you to add your favorite ingredients like cauliflower, zucchini, or different meats. Let’s dive into making this delectable dish!

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Cook Pasta:

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   • Cook the rotini pasta according to the directions on the package until it’s al dente.

2. Prepare Ingredients:

   • Drain the cooked pasta and rinse it with cold water. Then, drain it again thoroughly.
   • In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, mozzarella cheese (cut into cubes), chopped broccoli florets, diced green and red bell peppers, sliced onion, green olives, chopped fresh parsley, and grated Parmesan cheese.

3. Prepare Dressing:

   • In a jar or any container with a lid, combine olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, dried basil, dried oregano, sugar, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes.
   • Cover the container securely and shake well until all the ingredients are fully mixed.

4. Dress the Salad:

   • Pour half of the prepared dressing over the salad mixture in the bowl.
   • Toss the salad gently until all the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.

5. Chill:

   • Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the salad for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld together.

6. Final Touch:

   • Before serving, slice the tomatoes and add them to the chilled salad.
   • Pour the remaining dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.

7. Garnish and Serve:

   • Garnish the Italian-Style Pasta Salad with additional parsley and Parmesan cheese for an extra burst of flavor.
   • Serve chilled as a refreshing side dish or a satisfying main course.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving):

• Calories: 371.5
• Fat: 23.3g
  • Saturated Fat: 7g
• Cholesterol: 31.9mg
• Sodium: 524.9mg
• Carbohydrates: 27.6g
  • Fiber: 2.6g
  • Sugar: 3.6g
• Protein: 13.1g

Notes:

• This Italian-Style Pasta Salad is incredibly versatile. Feel free to customize it according to your taste preferences. You can add additional vegetables like cauliflower, zucchini, or your favorite meats such as salami or grilled chicken.
• For a vegan version, simply omit the cheese or use dairy-free alternatives.
• The salad tastes best when allowed to chill for several hours, allowing the flavors to meld together. It’s perfect for preparing ahead of time for picnics, barbecues, or weekday lunches.
• Make sure to use high-quality olive oil and fresh herbs for the dressing to enhance the flavor profile of the salad.

Enjoy this delightful Italian-inspired pasta salad that’s bursting with flavors and textures! It’s sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection. 🥗🍅🧀