Italian Pasta Salad

🧂 Ingredients

• 1 pound rotini pasta (, uncooked)
• 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese (pearls (or chopped into pieces if you can't find pearls))
• 8 ounces salami (, pepperoni, or beef summer sausage)
• 6 ounces black olives (pitted, sliced)
• 1/2 red onion (, diced)
• 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes ((224g), halved)
• 2 Tablespoons fresh chopped parsley (chopped)
• 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese ((50g))
• pepperoncinis (, sliced (optional))
• 3/4 cup olive oil ((150g))
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar ((58g))
• 2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes
• 2 teaspoons dried minced onion
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1

   Make the salad dressing by combining all ingredients. Store the dressing in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Shake before using.

2. 2

   Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain water and rinse pasta with cold water. Allow it to cool for at least 10 minutes. 

3. 3

   Combine: Add pasta to a large bowl and pour half of the salad dressing over it. Toss to combine. Add remaining ingredients and dressing and toss everything to combine.

4. 4

   Refrigerate: Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or longer, before serving. Store in the fridge for up to 4-5 days.