Description
This Italian Sub Pasta Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish combining tri-colored rotini pasta with fresh vegetables, assorted deli meats, cheeses, and a creamy Italian dressing. Perfectly chilled and tossed, it offers a delightful blend of textures and tastes reminiscent of a classic Italian sub sandwich in a refreshing pasta salad form.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Vegetables
- 1 pound tri-colored rotini (cooked to box directions and drained)
- 1 cucumber (peeled and sliced)
- 1 green bell pepper (diced)
- 1 red bell pepper (diced)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (sliced)
- 1 small red onion (diced)
- 2 cups fresh spinach (chopped)
- 1 cup sweet and hot salad peppers
Meats and Cheese
- ¼ pound deli ham (diced)
- ¼ pound salami (diced)
- 1 cup pepperoni (diced)
- ½ pound provolone cheese (diced)
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese (grated)
Dressing
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 16 ounces Italian dressing
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Garnish
- Parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the cooked and drained tri-colored rotini pasta with cucumber, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, red onion, spinach, sweet and hot salad peppers, salami, pepperoni, ham, and provolone cheese. This builds the hearty base of the salad.
- Prepare Dressing: In a separate smaller bowl, blend together mayonnaise, Italian dressing, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and grated parmesan cheese thoroughly to create a creamy and flavorful dressing.
- Mix Salad and Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture, then toss gently but thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly with the dressing.
- Chill: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. Chilling allows the flavors to meld and enhances the overall taste and texture.
- Garnish and Serve: Before serving, optionally garnish the salad with fresh parsley to add color and a hint of fresh herbal flavor.
Notes
- Ensure pasta is cooked al dente to maintain a firm texture in the salad.
- This salad improves in flavor after chilling for several hours, so plan ahead.
- You can adjust the types and amounts of deli meats and cheeses to your preference.
- Use fresh, high-quality vegetables for the best taste.
- Parsley garnish is optional but adds a nice visual and flavor boost.
