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Italian Pasta Salad (With 1 Secret Ingredient)

Delicious Quick Italian Pasta Salad (with 1 Secret Ingredient) recipe with step-by-step instructions.
5 from 2 votes
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 2100 kcal

Ingredients
  

Pasta

  • 1 lb rotini noodles
  • 3.5 to 4 oz pepperoni (about 3/4 cup, quartered)
  • 4 oz salami slices (about 3/4 cup, cut into quarters)
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes (halved)
  • 1 cup black olives (halved and drained)
  • 1 orange bell pepper (diced)
  • 1 green bell pepper (diced)
  • 1/2 cup finely diced red onion
  • 2 tbsp chopped pepperoncini
  • 8 oz mozzarella pearls
  • Grated parmesan cheese and minced parsley, for topping

For the dressing

  • 3/4 cup native olive oil
  • 1/4 cup redwine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons organic lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup finely freshly grated Parmesan
  • 1 tsp dried parsley, 1 tsp dried basil, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 tsp oregano, 1/2 tsp paprika powder, 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon sugar

Instructions
 

  • Throw all dressing ingredients in the jar, put on the lid and shake for about 30 seconds or until mixed. Once made, refrigerate until ready to serve.
  • Bring salted water to a rolling boil, throw in rotini noodles and cook according to the recipe until the rotini is al dente. Drain well and transfer to a large serving bowl (when still warm!).
  • Pour half of the Italian dressing over the still-warm rotini and toss to combine.
  • Add pepperoni quarters, salami quarters, halved cherry tomatoes, halved black olives, diced orange bell pepper, diced green bell pepper, finely diced red onion, chopped pepperoncini and mozzarella pearls to the dressed rotini. Toss well to combine.
  • Cover and chill the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours.
  • When ready to serve, toss the chilled pasta salad with the leftover Italian dressing, sprinkle Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley on top to serve.