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Creamy Italian Macaroni Pasta Salad

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A tangy, creamy pasta salad packed with rotini, salami, provolone, and crunchy vegetables, tossed in a homemade Italian dressing. Perfect for barbecues, potlucks, or a quick weeknight side dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound rotini pasta (tri-color preferred)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced
  • 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
  • 1/2 cup green bell pepper, diced
  • 1 cup Genoa salami, diced
  • 1 cup provolone cheese, diced
  • 1/2 cup pepperoncini, sliced
  • 1/2 cup black olives, sliced (optional)
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
  • 1 packet Italian dressing mix (e.g., Good Seasons)
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the rotini and cook according to package directions until al dente (8-10 minutes). Drain in a colander and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Let cool completely.
  2. Prep the vegetables: While the pasta cooks, wash and dice all vegetables. Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber and bell pepper, and finely dice the red onion. Soak the diced red onion in cold water for 10 minutes to remove harsh bite, then drain.
  3. Dice the salami and cheese: Cut the salami and provolone into small cubes, about 1/2 inch each.
  4. Make the creamy Italian dressing: In a medium bowl or mason jar, combine the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Italian dressing mix, red wine vinegar, olive oil, garlic powder, and dried oregano. Whisk or shake until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  5. Combine everything: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, diced vegetables, salami, provolone, pepperoncini, and black olives. Pour the dressing over the top and gently fold with a rubber spatula until every piece of pasta is coated.
  6. Chill and rest: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to overnight) to allow flavors to meld.
  7. Final touch: Before serving, give the salad a gentle stir. If it looks dry, add a splash of milk or a dollop of mayo. Garnish with fresh parsley or extra pepperoncini if desired.

Notes

For best results, make this salad a day ahead. The pasta absorbs dressing overnight, so reserve a little extra dressing to stir in before serving. To remove sharp bite from red onion, soak diced onion in cold water for 10 minutes. Do not freeze.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy Italian pasta salad, macaroni salad, rotini pasta salad, side dish, potluck, barbecue, summer salad

Find it online: https://gleefulfork.com/creamy-italian-macaroni-pasta-salad-best-side-dish/