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–+ servings
A large white bowl filled with creamy rotini pasta salad mixed with mozzarella balls, tomatoes, herbs, salami, and sliced pepperoncini, sitting on a checkered cloth in a kitchen setting.
Melissa Jo

Pepperoni Pasta Salad

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Creamy, tangy, and loaded with bold Italian deli flavors, this Pepperoni Pasta Salad is the ultimate make-ahead side dish. Packed with pepperoni, mozzarella pearls, marinated artichokes, cherry tomatoes, and pepperoncinis tossed in a creamy Italian dressing, it’s perfect for BBQs, cookouts, parties, and easy meal prep.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients
  

Pasta Salad
Creamy Italian Dressing
  • Important

    First whisk together everything for the dressing EXCEPT the mayonnaise.Then, in a separate bowl, mix ½ cup of the prepared dressing with 1 cup mayonnaise to create the creamy dressing for the pasta salad.Reserve the remaining dressing on the side for serving or for tossing into the pasta salad later if it needs more moisture after chilling.

  • 4 tablespoons water
  • 1 tbsp pepperoncini brine
  • 5 tablespoons grated pecorino cheese
  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • ¼ cup red wine vinegar
  • 1 packet Italian dressing mix
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
For Serving
  • Extra pecorino cheese
  • Fresh chopped parsley
  • ¼ cup sliced pepperoncinis
  • Small drizzle of extra dressing

Method
 

Instructions
  1. In a bowl, whisk together the water, pepperoncini brine, pecorino romano, olive oil, red wine vinegar, and Italian dressing mix until combined.
  2. In a separate bowl, add 1 cup mayonnaise and whisk in ½ cup of the prepared dressing until smooth and creamy. Set the remaining dressing aside for later.
  3. Add the pasta, pepperoni, marinated artichokes, mozzarella pearls, cherry tomatoes, and parsley to a large bowl.
  4. Pour the creamy dressing over the pasta salad and toss until evenly coated.
  5. Cover and refrigerate for 2–3 hours so the flavors can soak into the pasta.
  6. After chilling, toss again and add a little of the reserved dressing IF the pasta salad needs extra moisture.
  7. Top with extra pecorino, parsley, pepperoncinis, and a light drizzle of the reserved dressing before serving.

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