Italian Pasta Salad
The following recipe and photography were provided by local blogger Carolyn Hodges of The Dinner Shift.
Nothing screams summer quite like a pasta salad, and this vibrant Italian Pasta Salad is guaranteed to be a hit at your next backyard BBQ, picnic, or potluck. With its bold flavors, colorful presentation, and satisfying texture, it’s the kind of crowd-pleasing dish you need to try!
Featuring Heinen’s artisan rotini pasta, which perfectly captures the zesty dressing, this salad is loaded with crisp seasonal vegetables, savory Italian meats, creamy mozzarella pearls, and a bold, tangy balsamic vinaigrette that ties everything together beautifully.
This dish is especially perfect to make during the summer months when local vegetables are at their peak. Grab some juicy tomatoes, cucumbers, and any of your other favorite vegetables from Heinen’s Produce Department to elevate the freshness and flavor of your salad!
Not only is this salad fresh and delicious, but it’s easy to prepare, simple to customize, and tastes even better after a few hours in the fridge, making it ideal for entertaining or prepping ahead! Serve it as a hearty side dish alongside grilled chicken, burgers, or kabobs, or let it take center stage as a light and satisfying summer main. However you serve it, this is the kind of dish that keeps everyone coming back for a second scoop!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s a crowd pleaser. This pasta salad is universally appealing thanks to its familiar yet irresistible mix of flavors and textures. It’s the kind of dish that disappears quickly at any gathering, no matter the crowd.
- It’s packed with bold, fresh flavors. From the fresh, crisp vegetables to the savory Italian meats and bold vinaigrette, every bite delivers a delicious punch of flavor that’s both refreshing and satisfying.
- It’s versatile and can be prepped ahead. Whether you’re planning a picnic, meal prepping for the week, or hosting a casual cookout, this pasta salad fits the bill. It actually tastes better the longer it sits, making it ideal for preparing in advance.
Italian Pasta Salad
Servings: 8
Ingredients
- 1 (16 oz.) package Heinen’s organic tri-color rotini pasta
- 1 (3 oz.) package Columbus sliced prosciutto
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 mini cucumbers, thinly sliced
- ½ cup Heinen’s Recipe Ready diced red onion
- 1 (8 oz.) package Heinen’s fresh mozzarella pearls
- 3 oz. Heinen’s Margherita hard salami, diced
- ½ cup sliced pepperoncini, drained
- 1 package basil, chopped
- ⅔ cup Heinen’s organic extra virgin olive oil
- ⅓ cup Heinen’s balsamic vinegar
- 1 Tbsp. Heinen’s honey
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tsp. Heinen’s organic Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain, rinse under cold running water, then drain again and transfer to a large bowl.
- While the pasta cooks, crisp up the prosciutto in an air fryer (see note below for oven instructions). Preheat air fryer to 375°F. Arrange the prosciutto slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket, working in batches if necessary. Air fry for 3-5 minutes, or until crispy, flipping halfway through. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to cool, then crumble into pieces.
- Add the tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, mozzarella, salami, pepperoncini, basil, and crispy prosciutto to the pasta bowl.
- In a separate jar, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, garlic, and Italian seasoning. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Pour the vinaigrette over the pasta salad (to taste) and toss well to combine. Serve immediately. If preparing a day in advance, reserve ⅓ of the vinaigrette and add to the pasta salad just before serving.
Note: To crisp prosciutto in the oven, preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the prosciutto slices in a single layer on the baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes (watch closely so it doesn’t burn). The prosciutto will continue to crisp up as it cools.
