Description

Classic Pasta Salad is a vibrant and crowd-pleasing dish, combining tender rotini pasta, fresh vegetables like tomatoes and cucumber, robust black olives, pepperoni, and mozzarella cubes all tossed in zesty Italian dressing. Chilled to let flavors meld, this salad is perfect for potlucks, picnics, or as a make-ahead summer meal. Serve cold, garnished with fresh basil for extra flavor.

Ingredients

1 pound rotini pasta
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup cucumber, diced
1/2 cup red onion, diced
1/2 cup black olives, sliced
1/2 cup pepperoni, diced
1 cup mozzarella cheese, cubed
3/4 cup Italian dressing
2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente.
Drain and rinse with cold water until completely cooled.
In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta with tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olives, pepperoni, and mozzarella.
Pour Italian dressing over pasta mixture.
Add fresh basil and toss everything together.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
Stir again before serving and add more dressing if needed.

Notes

For a vegetarian version, omit the pepperoni or substitute with your favorite vegetarian deli slices. Vegan cheese and dressing can replace mozzarella and traditional Italian dressing for a dairy-free option. Prepare the salad up to one day ahead; store covered in the refrigerator and stir before serving. If the salad seems dry after chilling, add extra dressing. To prevent soggy pasta, rinse thoroughly and cool completely before mixing. Add crunchy vegetables or swap cheeses as desired for added texture and flavor. Adjust seasoning after chilling.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: No-cook (after boiling pasta); Chilling
Cuisine: Italian-American