Description
A vibrant and flavorful Antipasto Salad featuring a medley of pasta, cured meats, cheeses, and marinated vegetables, tossed in a tangy homemade Italian dressing. Perfect as a hearty appetizer or a light meal for six.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1.5 cups uncooked fusilli pasta
Cheeses
- 8 ounces provolone cheese, diced
- 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Meats
- 8 ounces salami or pepperoni, diced
- 3 ounces prosciutto, chopped
Vegetables & Pickled Items
- 1/2 to 3/4 cup assorted olives
- 1 (14 fluid ounce) can artichoke hearts, chopped
- 1/3 cup pepperoncini peppers, chopped
- 1/2 cup roasted red peppers, chopped
- 2 tablespoons red onion, chopped
- 1 medium tomato, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, sliced thin
Dressing
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook 1.5 cups of fusilli pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool, then let it drain thoroughly to remove excess moisture.
- Prepare Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon honey, and 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard until smooth and emulsified.
- Assemble Ingredients: Chop and prepare the remaining ingredients: 8 ounces diced provolone cheese, 1/2 to 3/4 cup assorted olives, 1 can (14 oz) chopped artichoke hearts, 8 ounces diced salami or pepperoni, 1/3 cup chopped pepperoncini peppers, 1/2 cup chopped roasted red peppers, 3 ounces chopped prosciutto, 2 tablespoons chopped red onion, 1 medium chopped tomato, and 2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh basil. Add all to a large salad bowl.
- Toss Salad: Add the cooled fusilli pasta and the dressing to the salad bowl. Toss gently to combine all ingredients evenly. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then sprinkle with 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese before serving.
Notes
- The salad is flexible—feel free to adjust ingredient quantities or omit any items to suit your taste.
- Chilling the salad for an hour before serving enhances the flavors.
- If preferred, substitute the pasta with rotini or penne for similar results.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Adding fresh herbs like oregano or parsley can add an extra layer of flavor.
