flavorful pasta salad

Introduction

This vibrant and flavorful pasta salad is a perfect side dish for picnics, barbecues, or potlucks. It’s loaded with colorful rotini pasta, savory Italian meats, tangy cheeses, and a variety of fresh vegetables. The salad is dressed in a zesty Italian dressing that ties all the flavors together beautifully. Not only is it visually appealing, but it also offers a delightful combination of textures and tastes that make it a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

• 12 oz tri-color rotini pasta
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup cubed cheddar cheese
• 1 cup cubed mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
• 1 cup red bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
• 1/2 cup pepperoni slices
• 1/2 cup salami, sliced or cubed
• 1/2 cup ham, chopped
• 1 cup Italian dressing (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta.
2. Prepare the ingredients: While the pasta is cooking, chop the vegetables, meats, and cheeses. Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the red onion and bell pepper, and slice or cube the meats and cheeses as needed.
3. Combine ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cherry tomatoes, cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, red onion, bell pepper, black olives, pepperoni, salami, and ham.
4. Dress the salad: Pour the Italian dressing over the salad and sprinkle with Italian seasoning. Toss everything together until the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Chill: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.

Conclusion

This Italian-inspired pasta salad is not only easy to make but also incredibly versatile. You can customize it by adding your favorite ingredients or adjusting the seasoning to your taste. It’s a hearty dish that can be enjoyed as a side or even as a light main course. Serve it chilled, and enjoy the explosion of flavors in every bite! This salad is sure to become a favorite at your family gatherings or summer parties.

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