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–+ servings
Really Good Pasta Salad

Really Good Pasta Salad

This colorful and customizable pasta salad is packed with fresh veggies, savory meats, and tangy homemade dressing — perfect for summer cookouts, family meals, or potlucks. It’s everything a pasta salad should be: bold, balanced, and satisfying.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chill Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 35 minutes
Course Salad, Side
Cuisine American
Servings 10 servings
Calories 390 kcal

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Mixing Bowls
  • Strainer
  • Whisk
  • Cutting board
  • Knife
  • Plastic Wrap or Lid

Ingredients
  

Salad Ingredients

  • 1 lb cavatappi pasta
  • 1/2 red onion diced
  • 1 cup broccoli chopped
  • 1/2 cup green olives sliced or whole
  • 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese cubed
  • 1/3 cup banana peppers chopped
  • 1/2 cup mini pepperoni or cubed pepperoni
  • 1/2 cup salami cubed
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved or sliced
  • 1/2 green pepper diced

Dressing Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tsp dried parsley
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt adjust to taste
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper adjust to taste

Instructions
 

  • Cook pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, combine pasta, red onion, broccoli, olives, cheddar, banana peppers, pepperoni, salami, tomatoes, and green pepper.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together red wine vinegar, sugar, parsley, Italian seasoning, minced garlic, and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Pour dressing over pasta salad and toss thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly.
  • Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow flavors to develop.
  • Toss again before serving and enjoy chilled.

Notes

Customize with extra veggies, your favorite cheese, or omit meat for a vegetarian version. For best results, chop all ingredients to similar size for even flavor in each bite.

Nutrition

Calories: 390kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 12gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 650mgPotassium: 270mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 420IUVitamin C: 18mgCalcium: 100mgIron: 2mg
Keyword Cold Salad, Make-Ahead, Pasta Salad, Picnic, Summer Dish
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