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Italian Style Pasta Salad Image

Italian Style Pasta Salad

Here's a simple way to make a vibrant Italian style pasta salad with our easy recipe! Combining al dente pasta with fresh vegetables, zesty Italian dressing, and savory meats and cheeses, this salad is perfect for picnics, potlucks, or as a refreshing meal on its own. Enjoy a burst of Mediterranean flavors in every bite!
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Servings: 12
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Video

Ingredients
  

Pasta Salad Ingredients
  • 1 lb. Cavatappi pasta or other corkscrew type pasta
  • 1- pint grape tomatoes
  • 8- ounces mozzarella pearls
  • 3 Persian cucumbers minis
  • ¾ C marinated artichoke hearts
  • ¾ C green olives with pimentos
  • 1 bunch of parsley chopped
  • Kosher salt
  • Ground black pepper
  • Dr. J’s sweet Italian dressing recipe below
Sweet Italian Dressing
  • ¾ C extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ C red wine vinegar
  • 3 T honey
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
  • ½ tsp. kosher salt
  • ¼ tsp. ground black pepper

Method
 

Pasta Salad Instructions
  1. Cook pasta according to directions (season the pasta water with one tablespoon of kosher salt). Drain the pasta and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.
  2. Slice the tomatoes in half and place in a large bowl. Cut the cucumbers in half and then in half moons approximately ¼” thick and add to the bowl. Roughly chop the olives, artichoke hearts and parsley and add to the bowl. Now, add in about ¼ C of the sweet Italian dressing and give it all a mix. Now, add the cooked pasta, mozzarella pearls and the rest of the dressing. Mix it all together and you’re ready to serve. Enjoy!
  3. Note: once all the salad is combined, taste for seasoning. This is the time to add more salt or pepper if necessary.
Sweet Italian Dressing Instructions
  1. Put all the ingredient in a salad dressing shaker or mason jar.
  2. Shake to combine.

Video