Description
Discover the vibrant flavors of the Best Pasta Salad, a delightful dish perfect for summer gatherings, potlucks, and barbecues. This colorful salad features a delicious mix of cooked fusilli pasta, mozzarella balls, salami, artichokes, and cherry tomatoes. Tossed with a zesty homemade dressing that enhances every bite, it’s not only easy to prepare in just 20 minutes but also makes an excellent make-ahead option—allowing the flavors to meld beautifully overnight. Whether served as a side dish or a light main course, this pasta salad is sure to impress your guests with its fresh ingredients and appealing presentation.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb cooked fusilli pasta
- 8 oz mozzarella balls, halved
- 4 oz salami, quartered
- 1 cup artichoke hearts, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup pitted black olives, sliced
- 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp red apple vinegar
- 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine fusilli pasta, mozzarella balls, salami pieces, chopped artichokes, halved cherry tomatoes, and sliced black olives.
- In a jar with a lid, mix olive oil, chopped garlic, red apple vinegar, parsley, Italian seasoning. Shake well to blend.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta salad mixture and gently toss until all ingredients are coated.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate for at least one hour for best flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: None
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (150g)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 30mg