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Perfect Pasta Salad

A colorful, creamy pasta salad that's perfect for picnics and potlucks, combining zesty dressing with fresh veggies and cheese.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Mediterranean
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and Vegetables
  • 8 ounces Tri-Colored Pasta (Rotini or fusilli suggested)
  • 1 cup Chopped Green Peppers (Red or yellow peppers can be used)
  • 1 cup Diced Tomatoes (Canned diced tomatoes are a convenient option)
  • ½ cup Chopped Red Onions (Soak in cold water to mellow the flavor if desired)
Cheese and Meats
  • 1 cup Cubed Provolone Cheese (Mozzarella makes a great substitute)
  • 4 ounces Sliced Pepperoni (Salami can be used for different flavor)
  • ½ cup Sliced Black Olives (Green olives are a flavorful alternative)
Dressing
  • ¼ cup Pompeian Extra Virgin Olive Oil (A good-quality olive oil is key)
  • 2 tablespoons Pompeian Red Wine Vinegar (White wine or apple cider vinegar can be used)
  • 1 tablespoon Sugar (Honey can be a natural alternative)
  • 1 teaspoon Oregano (Dry oregano can be substituted for fresh)
  • to taste Salt and Pepper (Essential for enhancing flavors)

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water to cool.
  2. In a large bowl, combine chopped green peppers, diced tomatoes, and red onions.
Combine Ingredients
  1. Add the cooled pasta to the vegetable mixture, then fold in the cubed provolone, sliced pepperoni, and black olives.
Make Dressing
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, sugar, oregano, salt, and pepper.
Mix and Chill
  1. Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss until everything is well coated.
  2. Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld.

Notes

For extra texture, cook pasta al dente. If desired, soak onions in cold water to reduce their bite. Experiment with proteins or toss in fresh herbs for added flavor.