Best Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 1 lb. cooked fusilli pasta
- 8 oz. mozzarella balls
halved
- 4 oz. salami
quartered
- 1 c. artichoke hearts
chopped
- 1 c. cherry tomatoes
halved
- 1/2 c. pitted black olives
sliced
- 1/3 c. extra-virgin oliive oil
- 1 clove garlic
finely chopped
- 2 tbsp. red wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tsp. Italian seasoning
- Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Directions
- 1
In a large bowl, toss pasta, mozzarella, salami, artichokes, tomatoes, and olives.
- 2
In a jar, combine oil, garlic, vinegar, parsley, Italian seasoning, and red pepper. Secure with a lid, then shake to combine; season with salt and black pepper.
- 3
Pour dressing over pasta salad and toss to combine.
Best Pasta Salad
Similar Recipes
Ratings & Reviews
Based on 16 ratings
Rating Breakdown
About this Recipe
Planning a summer potluck or simply craving a vibrant, flavorful dish that gets better with time? Our Best Pasta Salad is the ideal choice for any gathering, designed to impress with its fresh ingredients and robust Italian-inspired flavors. It’s the perfect make-ahead companion, promising an effortless addition to your spread.
What makes this pasta salad truly special is its ability to transform overnight. The simple yet potent dressing, featuring extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, and a blend of Italian seasoning with a pinch of red pepper flakes, truly permeates every component. This allows the savory salami, tangy artichoke hearts, and rich mozzarella to meld into a symphony of balanced, deep flavors that develop beautifully.
Prepare to enjoy tender fusilli pasta, perfectly cooked and tossed with a generous array of delicious mix-ins. You’ll find delightful bites of halved mozzarella balls, quartered salami, and bright cherry tomatoes alongside sliced black olives and chopped artichoke hearts. Each forkful delivers a harmonious blend of chewy, soft, and slightly firm textures, all coated in a garlicky, herbaceous dressing. It’s a refreshingly light yet satisfying experience, bursting with classic deli and garden flavors.
This recipe is wonderfully adaptable to your preferences or what you have on hand. For a different protein, consider adding cubed pepperoni or even grilled chicken. If you're aiming for a vegetarian option, simply omit the salami and perhaps add some chickpeas or cannellini beans for extra substance, or toss in some diced bell peppers for color and crunch. While fusilli is fantastic, other short pastas like rotini or penne would work beautifully too.
Serve this Best Pasta Salad chilled, making it a perfect centerpiece for picnics, barbecues, or as a refreshing side dish for a casual dinner. Its colorful appearance and inviting aroma make it a welcome addition to any table.