Name: Best Pasta Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 lb cooked fusilli pasta; 8 oz mozzarella balls, halved; 4 oz salami, quartered; 1 cup artichoke hearts, chopped (canned or marinated, drained); 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved; 1/2 cup pitted black olives, sliced; 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil; 1 garlic clove, finely chopped; 2 tbsp red apple vinegar; 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley; 2 tsp Italian seasoning; Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes (optional); Kosher salt, to taste; Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Description

A vibrant and flavorful pasta salad featuring fusilli, mozzarella, salami, and a medley of fresh vegetables, perfect for picnics and potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb cooked fusilli pasta
8 oz mozzarella balls, halved
4 oz salami, quartered
1 cup artichoke hearts, chopped (canned or marinated, drained)
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup pitted black olives, sliced
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
2 tbsp red apple vinegar
1 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley
2 tsp Italian seasoning
Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Kosher salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

If starting from dry pasta, cook fusilli according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking; drain well and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
Add the halved mozzarella balls, quartered salami, chopped artichoke hearts, halved cherry tomatoes, and sliced black olives to the bowl with the pasta.
In a jar with a lid, combine the extra-virgin olive oil, finely chopped garlic, red apple vinegar, chopped parsley, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes. Secure the lid and shake vigorously until the dressing emulsifies.
Pour the dressing over the pasta salad mixture. Gently toss with a spatula until everything is evenly coated. Avoid overmixing to keep the mozzarella balls intact.
Serve immediately or refrigerate for at least one hour to allow flavors to meld. Before serving, give it a gentle toss and adjust seasoning if necessary.

Notes

This pasta salad improves in flavor after chilling and can be made ahead of time for convenience. Drain ingredients thoroughly to avoid a watery salad.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: Mixing
Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 420
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 500mg
Fat: 27g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Unsaturated Fat: 12g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 24g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 17g
Cholesterol: 30mg