Zesty Antipasto Rotini Salad Delight
This Zesty Antipasto Rotini Salad Delight is a vibrant and hearty pasta salad packed with delicious flavors and textures. It's a crowd-pleaser, often requested for team dinners, picnics, and potlucks. The combination of tri-color rotini, savory meats, fresh veggies, and a homemade vinaigrette creates a refreshing dish that's perfect for any occasion. Prepare it ahead of time to allow the flavors to meld together, and watch as it disappears from the serving bowl in no time!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
tri-color rotini pasta
1 lb (cooked and drained)
salami
1 (3 inch) piece (diced)
pepperoni
1 whole (diced)
provolone cheese or Monterey jack cheese
1 (3 inch) piece (diced)
green pepper
1 whole (washed and diced)
tomatoes
2-3 (washed and diced)
mushrooms
to taste (optional)
artichokes
to taste (optional)
olives
to taste (optional)
canola oil or vegetable oil
3/4 cup (for dressing)
white vinegar
1/2 cup (for dressing)
oregano
1 tablespoon (for dressing)
salt
1 tablespoon (for dressing)
pepper
1 teaspoon (for dressing)
Instructions
1
Cook the tri-color rotini pasta according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool completely.
2
In a large salad bowl, combine the cooled rotini pasta, diced salami, pepperoni, provolone or Monterey jack cheese, green pepper, tomatoes, and any optional ingredients like mushrooms, artichokes, or olives.
3
In a separate bowl, whisk together the canola or vegetable oil, white vinegar, oregano, salt, and pepper to create the dressing.
4
Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and toss gently to combine, ensuring all ingredients are well coated.
5
For best flavor, cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight, allowing the flavors to meld.
6
Before serving, give the salad a good toss and add additional dressing if needed.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zesty Antipasto Rotini Salad Delight?
It is a vibrant and hearty pasta salad featuring tri-color rotini, savory meats, fresh vegetables, and a homemade vinaigrette.
What type of pasta is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of tri-color rotini pasta.
What meats are included in the salad?
The salad includes diced salami and a whole diced pepperoni.
Which cheeses are recommended for this recipe?
You can use either diced provolone cheese or Monterey jack cheese.
What vegetables are required for the base salad?
The base vegetables are one whole green pepper and 2-3 tomatoes, both washed and diced.
Are there any optional ingredients I can add?
Yes, you can add mushrooms, artichokes, or olives to taste.
What are the ingredients for the homemade dressing?
The dressing consists of canola or vegetable oil, white vinegar, oregano, salt, and pepper.
How much oil is needed for the dressing?
The recipe requires 3/4 cup of canola or vegetable oil.
What type of vinegar should I use?
The recipe specifies using 1/2 cup of white vinegar.
How much oregano is used in the dressing?
The dressing uses 1 tablespoon of oregano.
What is the first step in preparing the salad?
Cook the tri-color rotini according to package instructions, then drain and rinse under cold water.
How long should the salad refrigerate?
It should refrigerate for at least 2 hours, though overnight is preferred for the best flavor.
Why should I refrigerate the salad before serving?
Refrigeration allows the various flavors of the meats, vegetables, and dressing to meld together.
Can I add more dressing before serving?
Yes, you should give the salad a good toss and add additional dressing if needed right before serving.
Is this recipe suitable for a crowd?
Yes, it is specifically noted as a crowd-pleaser for team dinners, picnics, and potlucks.
What is the difficulty level of this recipe?
It is tagged as an easy recipe.
How many ingredients are in this salad?
There are 14 ingredients in total, including the dressing components and optional items.
What should I do to the pasta after cooking?
You must drain it and rinse it under cold water to cool it completely before mixing with other ingredients.
How should the salami and pepperoni be prepared?
Both the salami and pepperoni should be diced into small pieces.
What type of cuisine is this recipe?
This is an Italian-style pasta salad.
Can I use Monterey Jack instead of Provolone?
Yes, the recipe lists either provolone or Monterey jack as suitable options.
How much salt and pepper are in the dressing?
The dressing uses 1 tablespoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of pepper.
Is this salad served hot or cold?
This is a cold pasta salad that is refrigerated before serving.
What size piece of cheese is needed?
The recipe calls for a 3-inch piece of cheese to be diced.
How many tomatoes are needed?
You will need 2 to 3 tomatoes.
Can I use vegetable oil instead of canola oil?
Yes, the recipe allows for either canola oil or vegetable oil.
When should I toss the salad?
Toss it gently when first adding the dressing and again just before serving.
Are the mushrooms, artichokes, and olives required?
No, those ingredients are optional and can be added based on your personal preference.
How should the green pepper be prepared?
The green pepper should be washed and diced.
What makes the salad 'zesty'?
The combination of white vinegar, oregano, and savory meats provides a zesty flavor profile.