Easy Italian Antipasto Pasta Salad – A Vibrant, Flavorful Dish Perfect for Any Occasion

This Easy Italian Antipasto Pasta Salad is the epitome of summer pasta salads. It's loaded with fresh rotini pasta, a variety of cured meats, cheeses, and vibrant vegetables all tossed in a zesty homemade Italian vinaigrette. The combination of tangy pepperoncini, briny olives, and artichokes gives the salad a delightful depth of flavor, while the creamy mozzarella pearls provide a rich contrast. This dish is incredibly easy to make and perfect for potlucks, BBQs, or a quick lunch.

Ingredients:

For the Salad:

• 8 oz dry rotini pasta (or your favorite short pasta)
  
  

• 9 oz hard salami, chopped (or ¾ cup pre-sliced)
  
  

• 6.5 oz pepperoni, chopped (or ½ cup pre-sliced)
  
  

• 1 cup canned artichoke hearts, drained & quartered
  
  

• 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  
  

• 1 cup olives, pitted & halved (Kalamata, green, or a mixture of both)
  
  

• ½ cup pepperoncini, sliced
  
  

• 8 oz mozzarella pearls
  
  

• ¼ cup red onion, sliced thin
  
  

• ⅓ cup fresh basil, sliced thin
  
  

For the Italian Vinaigrette:

• ½ cup olive oil
  
  

• ¼ cup red wine vinegar
  
  

• 2 garlic cloves, minced
  
  

• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  
  

• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  
  

• Salt & black pepper, to taste
  
  

Directions:

1. Cook the pasta: Follow the package instructions to cook the pasta. Drain and set aside to cool completely.
   
   

2. Make the vinaigrette: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Chill the vinaigrette in the refrigerator while you prepare the rest of the salad.
   
   

3. Prepare your salad ingredients: Cut the salami and pepperoni, halve the cherry tomatoes, slice the olives and red onion, and thinly slice the fresh basil.
   
   

4. Mix & chill: Once the pasta has cooled, add it to a large mixing bowl along with the prepared ingredients. Pour the desired amount of vinaigrette over the top and toss the salad until everything is well coated. You can serve it immediately or let it chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to an hour before serving.
   
   

5. Serve: Garnish with shredded parmesan (optional) and extra fresh basil before serving.
   
   

Nutritional Value (per serving):

• Calories: 360 kcal
  
  

• Carbohydrates: 22g
  
  

• Protein: 15g
  
  

• Fat: 25g
  
  

• Saturated Fat: 7g
  
  

• Cholesterol: 40mg
  
  

• Sodium: 950mg
  
  

• Potassium: 320mg
  
  

• Fiber: 4g
  
  

• Sugar: 3g
  
  

• Calcium: 160mg
  
  

• Iron: 2mg