Description
This Classic Pasta Salad is a vibrant, flavorful, and easy-to-make dish perfect for gatherings and meal prep. Featuring tri-color rotini pasta combined with fresh vegetables, turkey pepperoni, and a tangy Italian vinaigrette, it’s a crowd-pleaser that offers a perfect balance of textures and tastes.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Vegetables
- 24 ounces tri-color rotini pasta (uncooked)
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1 red onion (diced)
- 1 green bell pepper (diced)
- 8 ounces olives (sliced)
Meat and Cheese
- 12 ounces sliced turkey pepperoni (can substitute with more vegetables for vegetarian option)
- 16 ounces mozzarella cheese (cubed)
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
Dressing
- 1 1/2 cups olive oil
- 1/2 cup red apple vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Cook the tri-color rotini pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Once cooked, drain and rinse thoroughly with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta along with halved cherry tomatoes, sliced turkey pepperoni, diced red onion, diced green bell pepper, cubed mozzarella cheese, grated parmesan cheese, and sliced olives. Mix gently to combine.
- Prepare Dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together olive oil, red apple vinegar, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes until well emulsified and combined.
- Toss Salad: Pour the prepared vinaigrette over the pasta salad mixture. Toss everything thoroughly to ensure the salad is evenly coated with the dressing.
- Chill Salad: Refrigerate the pasta salad for at least one hour before serving. This chilling time allows the flavors to meld and develop more depth.
Notes
- For a vegetarian option, omit the turkey pepperoni and add extra vegetables such as cucumbers or artichoke hearts.
- The salad can be made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator for extra flavor development.
- When rinsing the pasta after cooking, make sure to cool it down completely to prevent it from becoming mushy.
- Adjust seasoning in the dressing to taste, especially salt and pepper.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for best flavor.
