Italiano Pasta Salad

Submitted by gailanng

"A riot of flavors. Can subsitute chopped tomato with grape or cherry tomatoes."

 

• Ready In: 25mins
• Ingredients: 18
• Serves: 12

ingredients

• 1 lb rotini pasta, cooked al dente, drained, and rinsed under cold water (can substitute shell or even elbow pasta)
• 1⁄2 cup genoa salami, chopped
• 1⁄2 cup pepperoni, chopped
• 1 cup asiago cheese, small diced (can substitute mozzarella)
• 1 (6 ounce) can black olives, drained and chopped
• 1⁄4 cup pitted green olives, drained and chopped
• 1⁄4 cup pepperoncini pepper, drained well (optional)
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 3 roma tomatoes, chopped
• 1 (2/3 ounce) package dried Italian salad dressing mix
• 3⁄4 cup olive oil
• 1⁄4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• 1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
• black pepper
• iceberg lettuce, optional serving suggestion

directions

1. In a large bowl, combine pasta, salami, pepperoni, Asiago cheese, black olives, green olives, pepperoncini, red and green bell peppers and tomatoes. Set aside.
2. For the dressing, whisk together Italian salad dressing mix, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, oregano, parsley, Parmesan cheese and black pepper.
3. Just before serving pour dressing over salad, toss to coat.
4. Serve over iceberg lettuce.

Reviews

[Andi Longmeadow Farm]

How could you ever go wrong with-a-pasta-salll...ad? (make sure you pronounce it with an "Italian" accent.) Why? Because you will have thought you had a miracle flight to Italy when you were asleep. You will be transformed into believing the plate in front of you was brought to you by a wonderful woman who owns a little bistro in the midst of wine-country, and she served you salad table side where the tables were decorated with grape leaves, a spray of baby's breath, and large sunflowers. All those thoughts ran through my mind as I was devouring this You will be enjoying every. single. bite. Followed this exactly, except used a bit of feta because I ran out of asiago cheese. Go ahead pull up a chair and enjoy. Made for Everyday is a Holiday October 2009

 

[Susie D]

What a terrific summer salad! It is full of delight in every bite and very filling. Pretty too. The dressing is a keeper as well. Yum!

 

[morgainegeiser]

Yum. I made this salad for my family while visiting them in Florida and they loved this salad. They loved that there was so great a variety of veggies. What a wonderful pasta salad, definitely a keeper. Made for ZWT 2011

 

[ladyfingers]

Our family loves pasta salads, and this one is tops. The no-mayo dressing makes it a perfect summer function salad. This tastes wonderful as is, although onions came to mind while preparing it. Maybe next time... Either way, thanks for another good recipe, gailanng!