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Delicious slice of Creamy Italian Pasta Cheesecake Delight with fresh ingredients

Creamy Italian Pasta Salad

A delightful and vibrant pasta salad with creamy dressing, savory salami, and fresh vegetables, perfect for summer picnics or quick dinners.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Lunch, Side Dish
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6 servings
Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients
  

Dressing

  • 1 cup homemade mayonnaise
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 3 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper plus more to taste
  • 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (from about 1½ lemons)
  • 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar

Salad Ingredients

  • 12 ounces rotini or fusilli pasta, cooked according to package directions
  • 1 cup diced small red bell pepper (from about 1 small pepper)
  • 1/2 cup finely diced shallot (from about 1 large shallot)
  • 1/2 cup sliced black olives
  • 1 cup diced hard uncured salami
  • 1 cup diced mozzarella
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped parsley
  • 1/2 cup thinly sliced basil leaves

Instructions
 

Make the Creamy Italian Dressing

  • In a large bowl, combine homemade mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, black pepper, lemon juice, and white wine vinegar.
  • Whisk all the ingredients together until smooth and creamy. Adjust the seasoning to taste.

Assemble the Pasta Salad

  • In a separate large bowl, add the cooked pasta and all the diced vegetables, salami, and mozzarella.
  • Pour the creamy dressing over the pasta mixture and gently toss until everything is well coated.
  • Stir in the chopped parsley and sliced basil for added flavor.
  • Taste and add additional kosher salt or black pepper if needed.

Serving

  • Serve the Creamy Italian Pasta Salad chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

For a creamier texture, you can add more mayonnaise or a little sour cream. Add some grated Parmesan cheese for an extra flavor boost. If you prefer more crunch, add cucumbers or snap peas. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 3 days. It's best to store it without the dressing if keeping longer than a day.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 10gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 800mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3g
Keyword Creamy Pasta Salad, Italian Pasta Salad, Pasta Salad, Picnic Food, Summer Recipes
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