Description
Zesty Italian spaghetti pasta salad brings Mediterranean flavors to your summer table. Crisp vegetables and tangy parmesan dressing create a refreshing dish you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) thick spaghetti
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¾ cup chopped pepperoni or salami
- ¾ cup cubed mozzarella cheese
Vegetables and Herbs:
- ¼ cup diced red onion
- ¾ cup chopped artichoke hearts
- ¾ cup diced plum tomatoes
- ¾ cup diced cucumber
- ¾ cup sliced black olives
- 1 clove garlic
- ½ teaspoon italian seasoning
- Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Dressing Ingredients:
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 to 3 tablespoons red or white wine vinegar
- ⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese
- Coarse salt and black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Create a vibrant, emulsified dressing by blending extra virgin olive oil, wildflower honey, apple cider vinegar, minced garlic, aromatic Italian herb blend, and finely grated Parmesan cheese until silky and uniform. Enhance with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste. Chill the dressing in the refrigerator to let flavors meld.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook spaghetti pasta until perfectly al dente, typically 8-10 minutes, following package guidelines. Drain thoroughly in a colander and rinse with cool water to halt cooking process. Toss gently with extra virgin olive oil to prevent pasta from clumping.
- While pasta cools, prepare fresh ingredients. Finely dice red onion, slice artichoke hearts, halve cherry tomatoes, dice cucumber, chop pepperoni or salami into bite-sized pieces, cube fresh mozzarella, and slice Kalamata olives.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta with prepared vegetables, cured meats, and cheese. Pour chilled dressing over the mixture, gently folding to ensure even coating and distribution of flavors.
- Adjust seasoning with additional kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes for a subtle kick. Allow salad to rest for 15-20 minutes before serving to enhance flavor integration. Enjoy chilled or at ambient temperature as a refreshing appetizer or light main course.
Notes
- Dress up your pasta with a zesty, creamy Parmesan dressing that transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal.
- Customize this versatile salad by swapping pepperoni for grilled chicken or adding roasted vegetables for extra depth and flavor.
- Chill ingredients thoroughly to enhance the salad’s refreshing taste and allow flavors to meld beautifully.
- Leftovers stay delicious for 2-3 days when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, making it perfect for meal prep.
- Pro tip: Reserve some dressing on the side to refresh the salad if it absorbs too much liquid during storage.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Boiling, Blending
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 25mg