Best Easy Pasta Salad with Fresh Mozzarella
Chilled pasta salad combining cooked pasta, fresh mozzarella, salami, cherry tomatoes, kalamata olives, and pepperoncini tossed in an Italian vinaigrette. The dressing balances olive oil, white vinegar, garlic, and dried herbs. Best served after refrigerating overnight, with reserved dressing to refresh leftovers during storage.
Ingredients
- 1 pound uncooked pasta
- 3 cups cherry tomatoes, cut in half
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese balls, cut in halffeta cheese1:1cheese
similar briny, tangy profile
- 1 pound salami or summer sausage, cut into cubesprosciutto1:1cured meat
lighter alternative
- ¾ cup kalamata olives, sliced
- ¾ cup pepperoncini(optional)
- ½ cup red onion, sliced
- ½ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- ½ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup white vinegar
- ¼ cup water
- 1 tablespoons coarse sea salt
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons dry oregano
- 2 teaspoons dry basil
- black pepper(optional)
- fresh herbs (parsley, basil, or chives), optional(optional)
Instructions
- 1
Cook pasta according to package directions in salted water, then cool slightly and toss with a little oil to prevent sticking.
- 2
Blend or shake together the dressing ingredients in a jar.
- 3
Toss all ingredients together, using about three-fourths of the dressing and reserving the rest for leftovers.
Tips
Use about three-fourths of the dressing initially; reserve the remainder to refresh the salad during the 2-3 day storage period.
The salad tastes best the day after preparation, allowing flavors to fully meld.
Toss cooled pasta with a little oil to prevent sticking before combining with other ingredients.
Good to Know
Refrigerate in an airtight container for 2-3 days. Reserve remaining dressing to add to leftovers as they absorb liquid.
Prepare up to 1 day in advance. The salad actually improves in flavor after refrigerating overnight.
Serve chilled directly from the refrigerator.
Common Mistakes
Do not skip tossing cooled pasta with oil to avoid clumping.
Do not use all dressing at once to avoid over-dressing and to have reserve for refresh during storage.