This antipasto pasta salad recipe is a delightful blend of Italian flavors that will transport you to the beautiful streets of Italy. Made with fresh vegetables, hearty pasta, and cured meats, this salad is a perfect side dish or a light main course. The combination of tangy dressing, salty olives, and creamy mozzarella creates a harmonious balance of flavors that will leave you craving for more. With a preparation time of just 30 minutes, you can whip up this dish in no time and impress your guests with its vibrant colors and mouthwatering taste.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces of penne pasta
- 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup of cucumber, diced
- 1 cup of mozzarella balls, halved
- 1/2 cup of salami, sliced
- 1/2 cup of pepperoni, sliced
- 1/2 cup of black olives, sliced
- 1/4 cup of red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup of roasted red peppers, chopped
- 1/4 cup of fresh basil, chopped
- 1/4 cup of olive oil
- 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar
- 1 clove of garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, mozzarella balls, salami, pepperoni, black olives, red onion, roasted red peppers, and fresh basil.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss gently to combine all the ingredients.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Serve chilled and enjoy!