Description
A creamy and zesty Italian pasta salad perfect for summer gatherings and family picnics.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup homemade mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 3 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about 1½ lemons)
- 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 12 ounces rotini or fusilli pasta, cooked according to package directions
- 1 cup diced small red bell pepper (from about 1 small pepper)
- 1/2 cup finely diced shallot (from about 1 large shallot)
- 1/2 cup sliced black olives
- 1 cup diced hard uncured salami
- 1 cup diced mozzarella
- 1/4 cup finely chopped parsley
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced basil leaves
- Kosher salt, to taste
Instructions
- Make the Creamy Italian Dressing: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the homemade mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, lemon juice, and white wine vinegar. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Assemble the Pasta Salad: In the same mixing bowl (or a separate large one), add the cooked and cooled rotini or fusilli pasta, diced red bell pepper, finely diced shallot, sliced black olives, diced salami, mozzarella, chopped parsley, and basil leaves. Gently fold everything together until the pasta is coated in the creamy dressing.
- Taste and Adjust: Give it a good taste! Add extra salt and pepper if needed, and let the salad sit for a few minutes to allow all those lovely flavors to combine.
- Chill and Serve: Cover the pasta salad and let it chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or up to a few hours.
Notes
This salad actually tastes better the next day! Consider making it ahead of time to let the flavors develop.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No Bake
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 30mg