Description

This vibrant Italian Pasta Salad is a bold, flavor-packed dish loaded with tender rotini pasta, savory meats, fresh vegetables, creamy mozzarella, and a homemade zesty Italian dressing. Perfect for potlucks, BBQs, and easy make-ahead lunches—every bite bursts with classic Italian flavors and texture.

Ingredients

1 lb rotini pasta
3.5 to 4 oz pepperoni, quartered (about ¾ cup)
4 oz sliced salami, quartered (about ¾ cup)
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup black olives, drained and halved
1 orange bell pepper, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
½ cup finely diced red onion
2 tablespoons chopped pepperoncini
8 oz mozzarella pearls
Freshly grated Parmesan, for garnish
Fresh parsley, for garnish

Zesty Italian Dressing
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
¼ cup red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
¼ cup finely grated Parmesan
1 teaspoon sugar
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
¼ teaspoon paprika
Salt and pepper, to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

In a mason jar or mixing bowl, whisk or shake all dressing ingredients together until well blended. Taste and adjust—add sugar to mellow the tang, more vinegar for acidity, or olive oil for smoothness.
Cook rotini pasta in generously salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well and transfer to a large bowl.
While the pasta is still warm, pour in HALF of the prepared dressing and toss to coat evenly. This helps the pasta soak up flavor.
Add pepperoni, salami, tomatoes, olives, bell peppers, red onion, pepperoncini, and mozzarella pearls to the bowl. Gently toss everything together until well combined.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours. Keep the remaining dressing chilled separately.

Before serving, toss the salad with the rest of the dressing and top with freshly chopped parsley and grated Parmesan.

Notes

This salad tastes even better after sitting, as the flavors deepen—perfect for meal prep or next-day serving.
You can swap the meat for grilled chicken or omit it for a vegetarian version.
Add artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, or cucumber for extra flair.

For best results, use freshly grated Parmesan in the dressing for that authentic Italian tang.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Method: Mixing
Cuisine: Italian-American