EASY Italian Pasta Salad Recipe
Italian Pasta Salad Recipe is an easy cold pasta salad made with chicken, halal beef salami, crisp vegetables, Parmesan, and homemade dressing.
Ingredients
Salad
- 3 cups uncooked rotini or small shell pasta
- 1 cup shredded rotisserie chicken
- ½ cup halal beef salami thinly sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- ¼ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley finely chopped
- ½ cup black olives halved
- ½ cup roasted red bell pepper chopped
- 1 cup English cucumber chopped
- ¼ cup finely diced red onion
- ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Dressing
- ⅓ cup red wine vinegar
- 1½ teaspoons Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- ½ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons full-fat mayonnaise
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add the vinegar, Dijon mustard, oregano, Italian seasoning, sugar, olive oil, mayonnaise, salt, and pepper to a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Shake well until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to use.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente.
- Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water for about 20 seconds. Allow excess water to drain completely.
- Chop the chicken, halal beef salami, tomatoes, cucumber, roasted red peppers, olives, parsley, and red onion.
- Add the cooked pasta, chicken, beef salami, vegetables, parsley, and Parmesan cheese to a large mixing bowl.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until evenly coated. This Italian Pasta Salad Recipe tastes best when every ingredient is well coated.
- Taste and adjust with additional salt and black pepper if needed.
- Refrigerate for 10 minutes before serving. Toss again just before serving.
Notes
- Replace rotini with penne, fusilli, bow ties, or shells.
- Turkey breast can replace chicken if preferred.
- Add mozzarella balls for extra richness.
- Garnish with fresh basil before serving.
- Serve alongside grilled chicken, burgers, sandwiches, or soup.