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For a delicious Easy Italian Antipasto Pasta Salad, gather these ingredients: - 8 oz rotini pasta - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved - 1/2 cup black olives, pitted and sliced - 1/2 cup pepperoncini, sliced - 1/2 cup marinated artichoke hearts, chopped - 1 cup mozzarella balls, halved - 1/2 cup salami, sliced into thin strips - 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced - 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped - 1/4 cup olive oil - 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar (or lemon juice for a twist) - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning - Salt and pepper to taste I always choose fresh, high-quality ingredients. Fresh cherry tomatoes add sweetness. Look for ripe ones. Use good-quality olives and salami; they make a big difference. Opt for whole mozzarella balls when possible. They taste better than pre-shredded cheese. Fresh basil enhances the flavor, so don’t skip it. A good olive oil will tie all the flavors together. You can swap out some ingredients if needed. Use penne or fusilli pasta instead of rotini. If you dislike salami, try prosciutto or turkey slices. For a vegan option, skip the cheese and salami. Use marinated tofu instead. If you can’t find pepperoncini, use banana peppers or jalapeños for heat. Lemon juice can replace red wine vinegar for a brighter taste. First, cook the rotini pasta. Follow the package instructions closely. You want it to be al dente. This means it should be firm, not mushy. After cooking, drain the pasta. Rinse it with cold water. This stops the cooking process and cools it down. Once cooled, set it aside. Next, grab a large mixing bowl. In this bowl, combine the halved cherry tomatoes, sliced black olives, and pepperoncini. Add the chopped artichoke hearts, halved mozzarella balls, sliced salami, and thinly sliced red onion. Now, add the cooled rotini pasta to the bowl. Gently toss everything together. This helps mix all the flavors evenly. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil and red wine vinegar. If you want a twist, use lemon juice instead. Add the Italian seasoning and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix well until the dressing is combined. Pour this dressing over the pasta salad. Toss it again to coat all the ingredients well. Just before serving, fold in the fresh basil. This keeps it bright and fresh. Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning if needed. You want it to be just right! For the full recipe, check out the details above. You can easily prepare this pasta salad ahead of time. Cook the pasta and chop the veggies a day before. Store them in the fridge separately. This keeps everything fresh. Just mix them together with the dressing before serving. This saves you time on busy days. You will enjoy a tasty meal ready to go! To make your salad pop, try adding more spices. Fresh herbs like parsley or dill bring bright flavors. You can also use balsamic vinegar instead of red wine vinegar. A touch of garlic powder adds depth too. Taste as you go, adjusting to your liking. You can even add a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat! Serving matters as much as taste. Use a large, shallow bowl for a nice display. Garnish with extra basil leaves or a sprinkle of Italian seasoning on top. You can also add some colorful bell pepper slices for extra flair. If you serve the salad in individual bowls, it looks fancy and inviting. Enjoy the compliments from your guests! {{image_2}} If you want a vegetarian antipasto pasta salad, skip the salami. You can add more veggies instead. Try using bell peppers, zucchini, or even artichokes for extra flavor. You can also add chickpeas for protein. They make a great meat substitute. This way, everyone can enjoy this tasty dish! To make this salad gluten-free, choose gluten-free rotini pasta. Many brands offer great options. You can find them in most grocery stores. This swap keeps the texture while catering to gluten-free diets. Just follow the same steps in the recipe. You won't miss the regular pasta. You can change the dressing for a new taste. For a creamy option, mix in some Italian dressing or ranch. If you want something zesty, try a lemon vinaigrette. You can also play with herbs. Add fresh parsley or oregano for extra flavor. Use what you love! This keeps the salad fresh and exciting. For more ideas, check the Full Recipe. To keep your Easy Italian Antipasto Pasta Salad fresh, store it in an airtight container. This will help keep the flavors intact. Always let the salad cool to room temperature before sealing. If you have leftovers, do not mix in the dressing right away. Keep it separate for best taste. In the refrigerator, your pasta salad will last about 3 to 5 days. Check for any changes in smell or appearance before eating. If you notice anything off, it’s best to throw it away. The salad tastes best within the first couple of days. While freezing is not ideal, you can freeze the pasta salad if needed. Place it in a freezer-friendly container. Leave a little space at the top for expansion. When ready to eat, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight. Expect some texture changes, but the flavors will still be good. Yes, you can use other pasta shapes. Penne, fusilli, or bowtie work great too. Just choose a shape you like. Each type adds a different texture. The key is to cook pasta until it's al dente. This means it should be firm but not hard. This helps the pasta hold the dressing well. To stop pasta from sticking, rinse it after cooking. Use cold water to cool it down. This also helps keep the pasta firm. You can add a little olive oil after rinsing. Toss it gently so the oil coats each piece. This makes sure the pasta stays separate in the salad. Serve this pasta salad in a large bowl. It's great for family meals or parties. You can garnish it with fresh basil for color. A sprinkle of extra Italian seasoning adds a nice touch. It looks beautiful and tastes fresh. For the full recipe, check out Easy Italian Antipasto Pasta Salad. This blog post covered key ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and useful tips. We explored ingredient quality, common swaps, and ways to enhance your dish. I shared storage advice and answers to FAQs, making it easy to enjoy this recipe. In summary, with the right ingredients and a few tips, you can create a great meal. Dive in, experiment with variations, and remember to have fun while cooking!

Easy Italian Antipasto Pasta Salad

Delight your taste buds with this Easy Italian Antipasto Pasta Salad! Packed with vibrant ingredients like rotini pasta, cherry tomatoes, olives, and salami, it's the perfect dish for any gathering. Quick to prepare in just 30 minutes, this salad combines fresh flavors that everyone will love. Ready to impress your guests? Click through to explore the full recipe and discover how easy it is to create a delicious Italian masterpiece!
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Ingredients
  

8 oz rotini pasta

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

1/2 cup black olives, pitted and sliced

1/2 cup pepperoncini, sliced

1/2 cup marinated artichoke hearts, chopped

1 cup mozzarella balls, halved

1/2 cup salami, sliced into thin strips

1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced

1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped

1/4 cup olive oil

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar (or lemon juice for a twist)

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

Begin by cooking the rotini pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, rinse with cold water to cool, and set aside.

    In a large mixing bowl, combine the halved cherry tomatoes, sliced black olives, pepperoncini, chopped artichoke hearts, mozzarella balls, salami, and red onion.

      Add the cooled rotini pasta to the bowl with the vegetables and meats.

        In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar (or lemon juice), Italian seasoning, and a pinch of salt and pepper.

          Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss well to combine all ingredients.

            Gently fold in the chopped fresh basil just before serving to maintain its freshness.

              Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary, adding more salt, pepper, or vinegar as desired.

                Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes | Servings: 6

                  - Presentation Tips: Serve in a large, shallow bowl for a buffet-style presentation and garnish with extra basil leaves or a sprinkle of Italian seasoning on top for color.