Description
A quick and easy antipasto pasta salad featuring tender shell noodles combined with savory Genoa salami, fresh mozzarella, colorful bell peppers, olives, and cherry tomatoes, all tossed in a zesty Italian dressing. Perfect for a refreshing side dish or light meal, this salad is served chilled or at room temperature for maximum flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 lb medium shell noodles
Meat and Cheese
- 1/2 pound Genoa salami, chopped
- 1/2 pound mozzarella cheese, cubed or sliced
Vegetables
- 1/2 cup olives, sliced
- 1 pepper (red, green, and/or yellow), chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, chopped
Dressing and Seasonings
- 1/2 cup Italian dressing (add more as needed)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Boil the medium shell noodles according to the package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and set aside to cool for 5-10 minutes.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the chopped Genoa salami, cubed mozzarella, sliced olives, chopped bell pepper, and chopped cherry tomatoes along with all of the Italian dressing marinade. Then add the cooled pasta and stir well to evenly combine all ingredients.
- Season: Add the salt, garlic powder, and black pepper to the pasta mixture. Stir again to incorporate the seasonings thoroughly into the salad.
- Chill: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least one hour to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Serve: Before serving, stir the salad again to redistribute any settled dressing and seasonings. Taste and add more seasoning if desired. Serve chilled or at room temperature for the best flavor experience.
Notes
- You can substitute other types of pasta such as penne or rotini if preferred.
- Feel free to add other antipasto ingredients like roasted peppers, artichoke hearts, or pepperoncini for more complexity.
- If you want a lighter option, reduce the amount of Italian dressing or use a low-fat version.
- This salad tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
