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The Best Easy Italian Pasta Salad Recipe for a Crowd

Close-up of a serving of italian pasta salad featuring rotini pasta, salami, tomatoes, olives, and grated cheese.
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Make this crowd-pleasing Italian pasta salad, perfect for potlucks and BBQs. It features rotini pasta, mozzarella, pepperoni, olives, tomatoes, and a zesty homemade Italian dressing.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound rotini pasta
  • 1 cup cubed mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup sliced pepperoni
  • 1 cup black olives, sliced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper
  • 1/4 cup chopped red onion
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • For the Zesty Italian Dressing:
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Cook the rotini pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse immediately with cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, prepare the zesty Italian dressing. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, oregano, basil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until well combined.
  3. In a very large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, mozzarella cubes, pepperoni, black olives, cherry tomatoes, green bell pepper, and red onion.
  4. Pour the homemade Italian dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated.
  5. Stir in the fresh parsley.
  6. Cover the bowl and chill the Italian pasta salad in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving. This chilling time allows the flavors to meld.
  7. Before serving, sprinkle the top with grated Parmesan cheese.

Notes

  • For a high protein pasta salad variation, add 1 cup of drained, rinsed chickpeas or cubed cooked chicken breast.
  • The secret ingredient for an enhanced flavor is adding 1 teaspoon of sugar to the dressing mixture.
  • This cold pasta salad recipe is excellent for make ahead pasta salad preparation; it keeps well for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookincorner.com/italian-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-crowd-pleasing/