Italian Pasta Salad

Ingredients

Pasta Salad

• 1 pound pasta (such as penne, elbow, fusilli or rotini)
• 1 large green bell pepper (chopped)
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes (cut in half or quartered)
• 8 ounce salami (thickly sliced or cut in small pieces)
• 8 ounce bocconcini (mini, or cut in half or quarters if using regular size bocconcini)
• ½ medium red onion (finely chopped)
• 8 ounce spicy salami (thickly sliced or cut in small pieces)
• 8 ounce Monterey Jack cheese (cut in small cubes)
• 1/2 cup Kalamata olives (sliced)

Italian Dressing

• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 tablespoon parsley (fresh, chopped)
• 2 tablespoon oregano (fresh, chopped (or 1 tbsp dried oregano))
• 2 tablespoon basil (fresh, chopped (or 1 tbsp dried basil))
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• ½ cup olive oil
• 3 tablespoon white wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoon lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• 1 teaspoon pepper (or to taste)

Instructions 

• Cook pasta: Cook the pasta according to the package directions. For 1 lb of pasta you will need about 2 gallons of liquid, also make sure to salt your water well, at least 2 tbsp of salt. After you drain the pasta do not rinse it, if anything add a little olive oil to it to prevent it from sticking together.
• Combine salad ingredients: Toss all the pasta salad ingredients together. 
• Prepare salad dressing: In a small bowl or jar add all the dressing together and whisk well. If using a jar, put the lid on and close it, then shake well. You want the dressing to emulsify a little bit, this will ensure the pasta will absorb the dressing.
• Toss and serve: Pour the dressing over the pasta and toss well. Chill for at least 1 hour before serving.

Video

Notes

1. Cheese: I used mini bocconcini, but regular mozzarella cut in cubes can be used as well. Another alternative to Monterey Jack cheese could be a marble jack cheese, or a sharp cheddar cheese.
2. Leftovers: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 to 3 days. This salad is even better the next day.
3. Nutrition: This salad will yield about 15 cups, so nutritional information is based on a little over a cup per serving. Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.