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Flavorful Muffuletta Pasta Salad Recipe with Easy Zesty Italian Dressing

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A quick and easy Muffuletta pasta salad inspired by the classic New Orleans sandwich, featuring a zesty Italian dressing and a mix of savory meats, cheeses, and tangy olives.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces rotini or your favorite short pasta
  • 4 ounces sliced salami, chopped (preferably Genoa salami)
  • 4 ounces provolone or mozzarella cheese, cubed
  • 1 cup mixed Italian olives, pitted and chopped (green and black)
  • ½ cup giardiniera or chopped pepperoncini
  • ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon honey or sugar

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces rotini and cook according to package instructions until al dente (about 8-10 minutes). Drain in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside to drain completely.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil, 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, minced garlic, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, and 1 teaspoon honey until the dressing emulsifies and thickens slightly. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  3. Chop 4 ounces salami into bite-sized pieces, cube 4 ounces provolone, roughly chop 1 cup mixed Italian olives, thinly slice ½ small red onion, and roughly chop 2 tablespoons fresh parsley. Chop ½ cup giardiniera or pepperoncini if using.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chopped salami, cheese, olives, pickled vegetables, red onion, and parsley. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently but thoroughly to coat evenly.
  5. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, preferably an hour or more, to let the flavors meld.
  6. Before serving, toss the salad again and adjust seasoning with extra salt or pepper if needed. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

Do not skip rinsing the pasta with cold water to prevent it from becoming gummy. Letting the salad rest in the fridge for at least 30 minutes enhances flavor melding. Use a sharp knife for clean chopping. Adjust salt cautiously due to salty ingredients like salami, olives, and cheese. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta; for dairy-free, omit cheese or use vegan substitutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: Muffuletta pasta salad, Italian dressing, pasta salad, salami salad, easy pasta salad, zesty Italian dressing, New Orleans recipe

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