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Mediterranean Pasta Salad The Easy Italian Pasta Salad You’ll Make on Repeat

Mediterranean Pasta Salad

This Mediterranean Pasta Salad is a flavor-packed, colorful dish loaded with crunchy veggies, briny olives, creamy smoked cheese, and a zingy dressing. It’s perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or meal prep.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chilling Time 30 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main, Salad, Side
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 420
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • rotini pasta cooked, drained, and cooled
  • cherry or grape tomatoes halved
  • Persian cucumbers thinly sliced
  • Kalamata olives pitted and halved or sliced
  • sliced pepperoncini
  • sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped
  • orange bell pepper thinly sliced
  • red bell pepper thinly sliced
  • red onion thinly sliced
  • beef salami cubed
  • smoked Gouda cheese cubed
  • fresh basil chopped
For the Dressing
  • extra-virgin olive oil
  • fresh lemon juice
  • Kalamata olive brine or red wine vinegar
  • lemon zest
  • honey just a touch
  • sea salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • dried Italian herbs oregano, thyme, or basil
  • Dijon mustard
  • sumac
  • smoked paprika

Method
 

  1. Cook the pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool completely.
  2. Prep and slice all veggies, cube the cheese and salami, and chop basil. Add everything to a large mixing bowl.
  3. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together all dressing ingredients until smooth and emulsified. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  4. Add cooled pasta to the bowl with the other ingredients. Pour over dressing and toss well to coat evenly.
  5. Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld. Stir before serving.

Notes

To make it vegetarian, swap salami for chickpeas. Dressing can be made ahead and stored separately for 5 days. Use any pasta shape that holds dressing well.