Italian Pasta Salad

Total Time Prep/Total Time: 20 min.
Yield 9 servings
Test Kitchen Approved
This Italian pasta salad recipe stands out with a homemade Italian dressing. The zesty, veggie-packed salad is always a hit at potlucks, and it works wonderfully as a make-ahead lunch in the summertime.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups uncooked small pasta shells or rotini
  • 3/4 cup chopped green pepper
  • 3/4 cup chopped fresh tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup chopped pepperoni
  • 1/2 cup cubed hard salami
  • 1/2 cup whole ripe olives, quartered
  • 2 ounces provolone cheese, cubed
  • 1/3 cup chopped onion
  • DRESSING:
  • 1/3 cup canola oil
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Directions

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. Place in a large bowl; add the green pepper, tomatoes, pepperoni, salami, olives, cheese and onion.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk the dressing ingredients. Pour over pasta mixture; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate until serving.

Nutrition Facts

3/4 cup: 273 calories, 17g fat (5g saturated fat), 18mg cholesterol, 817mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 8g protein.

The first time I tasted this delicious salad was at my wedding, and I recall, even in the blur of that day, the recipe was in high demand. That was years ago, and I'm still asked to bring it to cookouts and parties! —Sarah Ryan, Geneva, Ohio
Recipe Creator

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