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Pasta Salad For A Crowd

Simple Pasta Salad For A Crowd (Make-Ahead & No Mayo)

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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 16 servings
Calories: 310
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb rotini pasta
  • 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
  • 1 cup diced English cucumber
  • ½ cup thinly sliced red onion
  • 1 cup halved pitted kalamata olives
  • 8 oz diced salami
  • 8 oz fresh mozzarella pearls (bocconcini)
  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 small garlic clove, grated or pressed
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp kosher salt, plus more for pasta water
  • ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh basil and flat leaf parsley

Method
 

  1. Boil salted water, cook pasta 1 minute less than package directions. Drain, rinse with cold water, and let drain again.
  2. Whisk olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper until creamy.
  3. Toss pasta, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, olives, salami, and mozzarella with most of the dressing. Let sit 10 minutes, then toss again and add remaining dressing if needed.
  4. Fold in fresh herbs just before serving and taste for seasoning.

Notes

If making ahead, reserve a third of the dressing and stir it in the next day to freshen up the salad. The pasta soaks up flavor overnight, so a little extra dressing keeps it glossy. The herbs stay brightest when added right before serving.