Ingredients
Dressing
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup white vinegar (red wine vinegar works too)
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 cloves garlic (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons dry oregano
- 2 teaspoons dry basil
- Black pepper to taste
- Fresh herbs (optional: parsley, basil, or chives)
Main Salad
- 1 pound uncooked pasta (preferably rotini)
- One 10-oz. package cherry tomatoes, halved (about 2 cups)
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese balls, halved if needed
- 8 ounces salami, cut into cubes or thin strips
- 1/2 cup pitted kalamata olives, sliced
- 1 cup sliced pepperoncini
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Make Dressing: Combine olive oil, white vinegar, water, kosher salt, garlic, sugar, oregano, basil, and black pepper in a small blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Optionally, stir in fresh herbs like parsley, basil, or chives for extra freshness. If making ahead, double the dressing quantity for better flavor.
- Cook Pasta: In a large pot, bring 4 quarts of water along with 1 tablespoon kosher salt to a boil. The salted water enhances the pasta’s flavor. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse the pasta under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. Toss the cooled pasta lightly with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Toss Together: In a very large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, halved mozzarella balls, cubed or sliced salami, sliced kalamata olives, pepperoncini, red onion, and chopped parsley. Pour the prepared dressing over the mixture and toss well to evenly coat all ingredients. Garnish with extra parsley for visual appeal.
Notes
- To enhance flavor, salt the pasta cooking water generously.
- For garlic, fresh cloves provide best flavor but garlic powder is a quick alternative.
- Salami types like Genoa or Soppressata work well; choose your favorite cured salami.
- If making the salad ahead, double the dressing to ensure the salad remains flavorful.
- Rinsing pasta with cold water stops cooking and cools it for the salad.
- Add fresh herbs to the dressing or salad for extra brightness and aroma.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
