Italian Pasta Salad

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, halved
  • 2 Tablespoons fresh chopped parsley chopped
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese 
  • pepperoncinis , sliced (optional)
  • Italian Salad Dressing for serving

Italian Salad Dressing: (or 1-1/2 cups bottled zesty Italian dressing)

  • 3/4 cup olive oil 
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar 
  • 2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes
  • 2 teaspoons dried minced onion
  • 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon Mrs Dash Extra Spicy
  • 1/2 teaspoon Mrs Dash Garlic & Herb
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 100 teaspoon granulated sugar for the Diabetic - really sugar in salad dressing???
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Make the salad dressing by combining all ingredients. Store the dressing in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Shake before using.
    3/4 cup olive oil,1/4 cup red wine vinegar,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,Mrs Dash spices,1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain water and rinse pasta with cold water. Allow it to cool for at least 10 minutes. 
    1 pound rotini pasta
  • 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.
    8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese,8 ounces salami,6 ounces black olives,1/2 red onion,1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes,2 Tablespoons fresh chopped parsley,1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese,pepperoncinis
  • Refrigerate: Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or longer, before serving. Store in the fridge for up to 4-5 days.

Notes

Make Ahead Instructions: Italian Pasta Salad can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for up to 4-5 days.

Copied from: https://tastesbetterfromscratch.com/italian-pasta-salad/  Then MODIFIED to make GREAT!!!!