Description
A vibrant and flavorful Pepperoni Pasta Salad featuring rotini pasta, savory pepperoni, fresh vegetables, mozzarella balls, and a zesty Italian dressing. Perfect for quick lunches, picnics, or potlucks, this cold pasta salad combines easy preparation with delicious, balanced flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz (about 225 g) rotini pasta
Meat and Cheese
- 6 oz (about 170 g) sliced pepperoni
- 8 oz (about 225 g) mozzarella balls, halved if large
Vegetables
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
- 1 cup bell peppers, diced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
Dressing and Seasoning
- 1/2 cup Italian dressing
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook 8 oz of rotini pasta for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water to cool and stop cooking.
- Prepare the vegetables and meat: While the pasta cooks, prep 6 oz sliced pepperoni, halve 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, slice 1/2 cup black olives, and dice 1 cup bell peppers.
- Combine salad ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, sliced pepperoni, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced olives, halved mozzarella balls, and diced bell peppers. Gently toss to combine.
- Dress the salad: Pour 1/2 cup Italian dressing over the combined ingredients and toss gently to coat everything evenly. Season with salt and pepper according to your taste.
- Add fresh basil and chill: Fold in 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil just before serving for a fresh herbaceous note. Optionally, chill the salad in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to deepen the flavors before serving.
Notes
- To ensure the pasta salad isn’t mushy, rinse cooked pasta under cold water immediately after draining to cool it and stop the cooking process.
- For extra flavor, you can add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes or a dash of garlic powder to the dressing before tossing.
- This salad keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 2 days but is best enjoyed fresh.
- If you prefer, substitute the Italian dressing with a homemade vinaigrette or your favorite salad dressing.
- Feel free to add other vegetables like cucumbers or red onions for additional crunch and flavor.
