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Fresh Grinder Pasta Salad Recipe Easy Zesty Italian Dressing for Summer

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A vibrant and colorful pasta salad featuring tender rotini, crisp fresh veggies, and a punchy homemade zesty Italian dressing. Perfect for summer gatherings, this salad is quick, easy, and full of fresh flavors.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz (340 g) rotini or other spiral pasta
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup cucumber, diced (seedless if preferred)
  • 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup black olives, sliced (Kalamata or black ripe olives)
  • 1 cup bell peppers, diced (red and yellow mix)
  • 1/2 cup shredded or cubed fresh mozzarella (optional)
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
  • 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions, about 9-11 minutes, until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool. Set aside.
  2. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, honey, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using until fully emulsified. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  3. While pasta cooks, halve cherry tomatoes, dice cucumber (remove seeds if watery), thinly slice red onion, slice black olives, dice bell peppers, and chop parsley. Shred or cube mozzarella if using.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta, chopped veggies, mozzarella, and parsley. Pour dressing over salad and toss gently but thoroughly to coat evenly.
  5. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld. Before serving, toss gently again and adjust seasoning if needed.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta; rinse under cold water to stop cooking and prevent clumping. Use fresh, crisp veggies to avoid sogginess. Make dressing from scratch for best flavor. Chill salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to meld flavors. Toss gently to keep veggies crisp and pasta intact. Can substitute gluten-free pasta and dairy-free cheese for dietary needs.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, Italian dressing, summer salad, easy pasta salad, fresh pasta salad, zesty dressing, rotini salad

Find it online: https://twirltaste.com/fresh-grinder-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-zesty-italian-dressing-for-summer/