Easy Italian Pasta Salad
Serves: 10+ ( this yields more than 15 cups) | Prep Time: 30 mins | Total Time: 30 mins
Ingredients
- 1 lb. pasta such as fusilli, penne, or rotini
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese balls, cut in half
- 1 lb. summer sausage or salami, cut into chunks
- 3 cups cherry tomatoes, cut in half
- ¾ cup black olives, sliced
- ¼ cup minced fresh parsley
- Sliced red onion, crumbled feta cheese, pepperoncini (optional)
- 1½ cups Italian dressing (see notes)
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Allow to cool slightly (and maybe toss with a little oil to prevent sticking).
- Toss all ingredients together! TOLD YOU IT WAS SO EASY.
- Keep in the fridge for 2-3 days. I think it actually tastes best the day AFTER you make it.
Notes
If you want to make your own Italian dressing:
3/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons white vinegar (white vinegar or red wine vinegar work)
2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoons coarse sea salt
1-2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon dry oregano
1 teaspoon dry basil
1 clove garlic
black pepper to taste
Whisk or run through the blender to make a creamy, slightly thickened dressing.
For a lower calorie, lower fat, and/or lower sodium version of this salad, scale back on the salami and add a few cups of additional veggies in its place (blanched green beans, fresh spinach, artichokes, red or yellow peppers, etc.).
Enjoy!
Source: pinchofyum.com