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Rotini Pasta Salad with homemade Italian dressing

I hope this delicious Rotini Pasta Salad will be a family summer staple for youor just like it is for us.
5 from 17 votes
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Course: dinner, lunch, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Italian
Keyword: homemade italian dressing, pasta salad, pasta salad recipe, rotini pasta salad
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Cooling: 1 hour
Author: Rachel

Ingredients

Pasta Salad ingredients

  • 12 - 16 oz. Rotini Noodles, cooked and drained
  • 3/4 cup Genoa Salami, chopped You will want just under half a pound.
  • 1 1/4 cup orange pepper, chopped
  • 3/4 cup banana peppers, chopped I use mild, but you can use a spicier version if you like.
  • 1 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese I like to use the small mozzarella cheese balls but you can use whatever kind you like!
  • 1 1/4 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
  • 1/2 cup red onion, chopped
  • 1/2 cup parsley. chopped
  • 1 6 oz can black olives, sliced
  • 2 large cucumbers, chopped

Homemade Italian Dressing Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil Use a good, quality olive oil for this.
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 2.5 Tbsp. lemon juice
  • 3/4 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
  • 1.5 tsp. dried basil
  • 1.5 tsp. dried parsley
  • 1.5 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1.5 tsp. onion powder
  • 3/4 tsp. table salt
  • 1/2 tsp. sugar
  • 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
  • 1/4 tsp. black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp. paprika
  • 1/4 tsp. garlic salt

Instructions

  • Bring salted water to a boil and then cook the pasta according to package directions.
  • While the pasta cooks, chop your vegetable ingredients.
  • Drain the pasta and then let it cool for 30 minutes - 1 hour.
  • To make the dressing, combine all the dressing ingredients in a canning jar with the lid or a dressing jar. Mix by shaking. Refrigerate until needed. Shake to mix again if needed.
  • Add in all the chopped ingredients to a large bowl with the pasta. Add in the dressing. Mix well and serve.