Cold Pasta Salad Recipes With Italian Dressing And Pepperoni
Looking for a delicious and easy-to-make pasta salad recipe? Look no further than cold pasta salad with Italian dressing and pepperoni! This recipe is perfect for summer barbecues, potlucks, or just a quick and easy weeknight dinner. With a tangy Italian dressing and the spicy kick of pepperoni, this pasta salad is sure to become a crowd favorite. Here's how to make it:
Ingredients:
- 1 pound of pasta (rotini, fusilli, or any other short pasta shape works well)
- 1 cup of sliced pepperoni
- 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup of sliced black olives
- 1/2 cup of diced red onion
- 1/2 cup of diced green bell pepper
- 1/2 cup of diced celery
- 1/2 cup of shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup of Italian dressing
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.
2. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, pepperoni, cherry tomatoes, black olives, red onion, green bell pepper, and celery.
3. Pour the Italian dressing over the pasta salad and toss to combine.
4. Add salt and pepper to taste.
5. Sprinkle the shredded Parmesan cheese over the top of the pasta salad.
6. Serve chilled.
Variations:
This pasta salad recipe is easily customizable to suit your tastes. Here are a few variations to try:
Vegetarian:
If you don't eat meat, simply omit the pepperoni and add more vegetables, such as diced zucchini, roasted red peppers, or artichoke hearts.
Seafood:
Add cooked shrimp or crab meat to the pasta salad for a delicious seafood twist.
Greek:
Substitute feta cheese for the Parmesan and add some diced cucumber and kalamata olives for a Greek-inspired pasta salad.
Conclusion:
This cold pasta salad recipe with Italian dressing and pepperoni is sure to be a hit at your next summer gathering. With its tangy dressing, spicy pepperoni, and variety of fresh vegetables, it's a flavorful and satisfying dish that's perfect for any occasion. Try one of the variations or get creative with your own additions. Either way, this pasta salad is bound to become a new family favorite!