Description
Supreme Pasta Salad is a vibrant and flavorful cold pasta dish combining rotini pasta with fresh vegetables, mozzarella, and optional salami, all tossed in a zesty Italian dressing dressed with olive oil and oregano. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or as a refreshing side dish, this recipe is easy to make and can be customized with various mix-ins.
Ingredients
Pasta and Vegetables
- 12 ounces rotini or fusilli pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, chopped
- 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
- 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
Cheese and Meat
- 1/2 cup mozzarella pearls or cubed cheese
- 1/4 cup salami or pepperoni slices (optional)
Dressing and Seasoning
- 1/3 cup Italian dressing (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley or basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rotini or fusilli pasta according to the package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down completely.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta along with cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, chopped red bell pepper, sliced black olives, thinly sliced red onion, mozzarella pearls or cubes, and salami or pepperoni if using.
- Add Dressing and Seasoning: Drizzle the Italian dressing and olive oil over the salad. Sprinkle in the dried oregano, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Toss the Salad: Gently toss all the ingredients together until the salad is evenly coated with the dressing and seasonings.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Before serving, give the salad a good toss again and garnish with fresh parsley or basil if desired.
Notes
- Feel free to add other mix-ins such as artichoke hearts, chickpeas, or avocado to customize the salad.
- This pasta salad holds well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, making it ideal for meal prep, picnics, or potlucks.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the salami or pepperoni.
