Italian Pasta Salad

Everyone needs a “go to” pasta salad recipe and this is mine. An Italian Pasta Salad with a Homemade Italian Dressing. Loaded with all things Italian: salami, olives, bocconcini, tomatoes and basil.

An essential for hot summer nights, quick mid-week meals, make ahead lunches and gatherings! This salad is so simple to make. Toss everything together and pour over the dressing. Bingo! But boy, oh boy don't be fooled by it's simplicity, you have everything here. Sweet, salty, fresh and a little heat from chilli. Take in the aromas as you prepare this salad, they are incredible. Can't wait to tuck in? Enjoy.   

Ingredients:

For the Homemade Italian Dressing:

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar 
1 1/2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese 
1 tbsp sugar 
1 large garlic clove, minced
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp dried parsley
1/2 tsp dried chilli flakes (optional)
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

For the Pasta Salad:

300g spiral pasta
180g thick sliced salami, cut into batons
200g baby bocconcini, halved 
1 red pepper, cut into strips
250g/8oz whole olives
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved 
1 cup fresh basil leaves

Instructions:

Place Dressing ingredients in a jar and shake well.

Cook pasta according to packet directions minus 1 minute. 

Drain in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop it cooking further. 

Shake excess water off well then transfer into large bowl.

Place remaining Pasta Salad ingredients in the bowl. Drizzle over Dressing and toss. 

Serve at room temperature.

Note:

Scoop out a mug of pasta cooking water just before draining. 

Add 3 tbsp water to Dressing, shake well. 

Use this Dressing as per above, but reserve 3 tbsp to freshen up pasta salad on day 2 onward.