Italian Pasta Salad

Italian pasta salad is the dish that no-one is expecting, or duplicating. Not only is it packed with pasta and surprising ingredients (for a salad), it’s elevated with a homemade salad dressing.

Prep Time15

Cook Time5

Total Time20

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: easy pasta salad, mediterranean pasta salad, pasta salad with italian dressing, potluck pasta salad

Servings: person

Author: Julia Frey of Vikalinka

Ingredients

200g / 7 oz short pasta cooked
2 small heads chicory (radicchio) core removed and sliced
8 baby zucchini or 2 regular sized zucchini
200g / 7 oz cherry tomatoes
1 red pepper sliced
125g / 4 oz provolone cheese cubed (or mild cheddar UK)
10 slices salami cut into strips
3-4 pepperoncini sliced
10-15 kalamata olives pitted and sliced
1 shallot thinly sliced

for the lemon basil vinaigrette

10 leaves fresh basil or 1/2 tsp dried basil
1 clove garlic or 1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 lemon zest or 2 tbsp white wine vinegar
1 1 lemon juice only
6 tbsp This is an affiliate link.olive oil
1/2 tsp salt

Instructions

Cook the pasta according to package instructions, drain and cool. Meanwhile cut the baby zucchini in half lengthwise and either grill or cook in a frying pan for 3 minutes one each side, cool and slice. (If using a regular size zucchini, cut it in 1 inch thick slices.)
In a large salad bowl combine the sliced chicory, sliced red pepper, halved cherry tomatoes, cubed provolone cheese, sliced kalamata olives, salami slices cut into strips, sliced pepperoncini, and thinly sliced shallots, then add the cooled and sliced zucchini and pasta.
In a mason jar combine the chopped fresh basil, lemon zest and juice, minced garlic, salt and olive oil. Cover with a lid and shake well till combined. Alternatively, you can make the dressing in a small blender like I did.
Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss to coat. Taste and season with salt.

Nutrition