Authentic Italian pasta salad with homemade dressing! Tangy, filling and refreshing!
Course Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine Italian
Keyword authentic, italian dressing recipe, pasta salad
Prep Time 20 minutesminutes
Total Time 20 minutesminutes
Servings 8people
Calories 0kcal
Author Divas Can Cook
Ingredients
Italian Dressing
¾cupextra-virgin olive oil
1/4cupwhite wine vinegar
1tablespoonlemon juice
1tablespoongarlicminced
1tablespoonred bell peppersminced
1tablespoonwhite onionsminced
1tablespoonparmesan cheesefreshly grated
1tablespoonItalian seasonings
2teaspoonsgranulated sugar
2½teaspoonssalt
¼ -½teaspoonblack pepper
PASTA
3cupsrotini pasta(prepared al dente, drained and rinsed with cold water)
1cupcherry tomatoeshalved
½cupblack olives
¾cuppepperonidiced
3tablespoonsbanana peppersdiced
¼cupred bell peppersdiced
½cupgreen bell peppersdiced
½cupfresh basil leavesuse small leaves
½cupFresh Mozzarella pearls
parsley
Instructions
Combine all of the dressing ingredients in a glass jar.
¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil, 1/4 cup white wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon garlic, 1 tablespoon red bell peppers, 1 tablespoon white onions, 1 tablespoon parmesan cheese, 1 tablespoon Italian seasonings, 2 teaspoons granulated sugar, 2½ teaspoons salt, ¼ -½ teaspoon black pepper
Shake well to incorporate the ingredients. Store in the fridge until ready to use.
Refrigerate overnight if possible. (flavor increases greatly overnight)
To prepare the pasta salad, place the cooked and cooled rotini pasta in a large bowl.
3 cups rotini pasta
Stir in tomatoes, black olives, pepperoni, banana peppers, red bell peppers, & green bell peppers in a large bowl.
1 cup cherry tomatoes, ½ cup black olives, ¾ cup pepperoni, 3 tablespoons banana peppers, ¼ cup red bell peppers, ½ cup green bell peppers
Pour on the desired amount of dressing and toss to combine. ( I use it all!)
Stir in basil and mozzarella.
½ cup fresh basil leaves, ½ cup Fresh Mozzarella pearls
Add parsley for more color if desired.
parsley
Refrigerate overnight if possible.
Toss and serve!
Video
Notes
I cook my pasta until al dente and then immediately rinse with cool water. Feel free to up the amount or decrease the amount of any pasta salad add-ins!