Spring Antipasto Pasta Salad (Printable)

Lively ditalini salad with arugula, salami, mozzarella, and pickled vegetables in zesty dressing.

# What You Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 10 oz ditalini pasta
02 - Salt, for boiling water

→ Salad Base

03 - 3.5 oz fresh arugula
04 - 4 oz salami, sliced into strips or small cubes
05 - 5 oz fresh mozzarella pearls or diced mozzarella
06 - 3.5 oz pickled vegetables, chopped
07 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
08 - 8 cherry tomatoes, halved

→ Zesty Dressing

09 - 4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
10 - 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
11 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
12 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
13 - 1 garlic clove, finely minced
14 - 1 tsp dried oregano
15 - 1/2 tsp chili flakes
16 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

# How to Make:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ditalini according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse briefly under cold water to cool; set aside.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, oregano, chili flakes, salt, and pepper until well combined.
03 - Add the cooled ditalini, arugula, salami, mozzarella, pickled vegetables, red onion, and cherry tomatoes to the bowl with the dressing.
04 - Toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly with the dressing. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
05 - Serve immediately, or refrigerate for up to 2 hours to allow flavors to meld. Toss again before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The zesty dressing soaks into the ditalini perfectly while the pasta still has some bite
  • It actually tastes better after sitting for a bit, making it ideal for prep ahead serving
02 -
  • Rinse the pasta thoroughly under cold water or it'll keep cooking and turn mushy
  • Let the salad sit for at least 15 minutes before serving so flavors can start melding
03 -
  • Cut your salami and vegetables into similar sized pieces for the most satisfying texture
  • If making ahead, dress everything except the arugula and add those greens right before serving
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