Description

Chopped Italian Pasta Salad is a fresh and flavorful combination of rotini pasta, crisp romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, pepperoncini, black olives, mozzarella pearls, salami, and Parmesan cheese, all tossed in a tangy Italian dressing. This colorful and satisfying salad is perfect for meal prep, picnics, potlucks, or as a refreshing side dish.

Ingredients

Pasta

12 oz rotini pasta

Vegetables

2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup cucumber, chopped
½ cup red onion, finely chopped
½ cup sliced pepperoncini
½ cup black olives, sliced

Dairy and Meat

1 cup mozzarella pearls
½ cup salami, chopped
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Seasoning and Dressing

¾ cup Italian dressing
1 tsp Italian seasoning
¼ tsp black pepper

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Instructions

Cook the pasta: Boil water in a large pot and cook the rotini pasta according to the package directions until al dente, usually about 8-10 minutes.
Cool the pasta: Drain the cooked pasta and rinse it thoroughly under cold water until it is completely cooled, to stop the cooking process and prevent sticking.
Combine ingredients: Transfer the cooled pasta to a large mixing bowl. Add chopped romaine lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped cucumber, finely chopped red onion, sliced pepperoncini, sliced black olives, mozzarella pearls, and chopped salami.
Add dressing and seasoning: Pour the Italian dressing over the combined ingredients. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and black pepper.
Toss the salad: Gently toss all ingredients together until everything is evenly coated with dressing and seasonings.
Chill before serving: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and serve cold.

Notes

For the best texture and freshness, add the romaine lettuce shortly before serving rather than in advance.
If preparing the salad ahead of time, reserve a little extra Italian dressing to refresh the salad before serving.
This salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-American