Loaded and refreshing! Made with tender pasta, smoked salami, fresh veggies and herbs, two types of cheese, and a tangy homemade Italian dressing. Perfect for a picnic or summer dinner.
Servings: 12
Prep30 minutesminutes
Cook6 minutesminutes
Ready in: 30 minutesminutes
Ingredients
16oz.dry rotini
10oz.hard salami,sliced 1/4-inch thick then chopped
Cook pasta according to directions on package (I boil in 5 quarts water with 1 Tbsp salt) just barely to al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water then drain pasta.
Immediately transfer pasta to a rimmed 18 by 13-inch baking sheet and spread out to cool for 15 minutes.
While pasta is cooking and cooling chop ingredients and prepare dressing.
For the dressing whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, mustard, honey, garlic, red pepper flakes and season lightly with salt and then pepper to taste.
Add cooled pasta to an extra large bowl along with salami, tomatoes, olives, bell peppers, red onion, mozzarella pearls, parmesan, parsley and basil.
Whisk dressing once more then pour over ingredients in bowl along with 1/4 cup pasta water. Toss well to evenly coat. Thin with more pasta water as desired and season with more salt as needed.
It can be served right away or for a colder, more refreshing pasta salad, chill for 1 - 2 hours (or up to 3 days).
Notes
*Chopped fresh mozzarella (log or ball shape) can be substituted in place of pearls if you can't find that size. Just cut into small cubes.
**To grate parmesan cut into chunks about 1-inch then add to food processor. Process for a minute or so until finely ground.
***1 1/2 tsp dried basil can be used in place of fresh, but if using dried, mix it into the dressing.