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Easy Zesty Italian Pasta Salad

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A quick and flavorful pasta salad featuring rotini, fresh vegetables, and a homemade zesty Italian dressing, perfect for fresh summer meals and gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz (340 g) rotini pasta
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
  • 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
  • ½ cup red onion, finely chopped (optional)
  • ¾ cup black olives, sliced
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella or cubed fresh mozzarella
  • ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
  • 1 tsp honey or sugar
  • 1 clove garlic, minced (or ½ tsp garlic powder)
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • ½ tsp dried basil
  • ½ tsp Dijon mustard
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add 12 oz (340 g) of rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions, usually 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  2. Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse briefly under cold water to stop the cooking and cool the pasta down. Shake off excess water.
  3. While the pasta cooks, halve 1 cup cherry tomatoes, dice both green and red bell peppers, finely chop ½ cup red onion, slice ¾ cup black olives, chop ½ cup fresh parsley, and shred or cube 1 cup mozzarella.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil, 3 tbsp red wine vinegar, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp honey, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tsp dried oregano, ½ tsp dried basil, ½ tsp Dijon mustard, and salt & pepper to taste until creamy and well combined.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, prepared vegetables, mozzarella, and ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese. Pour the dressing over everything.
  6. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat the pasta and veggies evenly. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to let flavors meld.
  7. Before serving, give the salad a quick toss and adjust seasoning with extra salt, pepper, or a splash of vinegar if needed. Sprinkle with a little more fresh parsley or Parmesan for color and flavor.

Notes

Salt pasta water generously to season pasta. Rinse pasta after cooking to prevent mushiness. Use Dijon mustard in dressing to emulsify. Chill salad for at least 1 hour for best flavor. Can substitute gluten-free pasta or vegan cheese to accommodate dietary needs. Add proteins or veggies for variations.

Nutrition

Keywords: Italian pasta salad, zesty pasta salad, summer pasta salad, rotini pasta salad, easy pasta salad, fresh pasta salad, homemade Italian dressing

Find it online: https://vexifood.com/easy-zesty-italian-pasta-salad-recipe-perfect-for-fresh-summer-meals/