YUMMY PEPPERONI MOZZARELLA PASTA SALAD

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If you know me personally you probably know how much I love pasta salad.  I have a few posts on pasta salad already but this one really takes the cake.  Is that OK to say because it sure is not cake.  

 I love the ingredients to this salad.  It def could be a meal in its self.  Plus it is starting to get steamy outside and who wants a hot meal when it is 100 degrees outside?

 I love to make my own dressing for my pasta salads.  I mean you can use a store bought one but you might overpower this delectable salad with something store bought.  Why not make your own?  Especially considering it is so easy to do.
For this salad, I chose to make something similar to an Italian oil-based dressing.  We love Colavita EVOO.  We always pick up a few gallons when we go to Pittsburgh.  Again this is very simple.  The ingredients are EVOO, white vinegar, garlic, and some Italian seasoning. Pour all of them into a bottle and give it a good shake.  It is better to make your dressing a few hours before so it can marinate and come to its best flavor.


I started with the EVOO and garlic first. 
Added my Italian seasonings and top with white vinegar.  Give it a good shake and allow it to sit.
I am using grape tomatoes, pepperoni, kalamata olives, and mozzarella cheese balls.


Add the pasta.

Pour in your dressing.


I always add some onion.  I normally use red or spring onions because both have a bit of a bite to them and add so much to the salad.  
PEPPERONI MOZZARELLA PASTA SALAD

Ingredients
  • 1 16 ounce box of Rotini pasta
  • 1/2 package of pepperoni
  • 1 bottle of kalamata olives drained and cut in half
  • 1 container of fresh mozzarella balls
  • 1/2 red onion chopped
  • Italian seasoning to taste
  • Pepper to taste
  • Half of a carton of grape tomatoes cut in half.
To make dressing
  • 3/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
  • 2 cloves of garlic minced
  • 1/2 t sea salt
  • 1 t Italian seasoning
Directions
  • Make your dressing first by combining all ingredients in a bottle or bowl.  Shake or stir well.  Allow sitting on the counter for a couple of hours prior to making the salad.
  • Cook pasta per directions on the box.
  • Cut pepperoni into quarters or halves.
  • Drain the olives and slice in half.
  • Cut the mozzarella balls in half.  
  • Chop the onion.
  • Add everything into a large bowl and add the dressing.  Stir well.  
  • Taste test the pasta salad to see what you need to add for flavor per your taste.
  • Best to serve after the salad has been chilled for 8 hours or more.  You might need to add more dressing due to the fact the pasta abords the liquid.
Optional ingredients:  Celery, bell peppers, Pepperoncinis, carrots, spring onions.

ENJOY!!

This really is a lovely pasta salad.  




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