Rotini Antipasta Salad
A vibrant, flavorful pasta salad featuring fresh vegetables, cheeses, cured meats, and a tangy vinaigrette—perfect for picnics, potlucks, or light summer meals.
Ingredients
- 1 (1 lb.) package rotini ⓘ
- 1 1/2 cups cubed Provolone or Mozzarella cheese ⓘ
- 1/4 lb. salami, cut into thin strips ⓘ
- 1 (15 oz.) can chickpeas, drained ⓘ
- 1 (14 oz.) can quartered artichoke hearts, drained ⓘ
- 2 cups chopped mixed vegetables (cauliflower, carrots, celery, green pepper)
- 1/2 cup chopped parsley ⓘ
- 3 green onions, sliced
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, minced ⓘ
- 1/2 cup red wine ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard ⓘ
- 10 black olives, sliced ⓘ
- 1/2 (26 oz.) jar Classico Di Napole tomato and basil or onion and garlic sauce ⓘ
Instructions
- Prepare rotini according to package directions; drain and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine cheese, salami, chickpeas, artichoke hearts, chopped vegetables, parsley, and sliced green onions.
- In a small bowl, whisk together 13 ounces of Classico sauce, olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, and minced garlic.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss to coat.
- Cover and chill the salad for at least 1 hour.
- Before serving, toss the salad with sliced black olives.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor of your Rotini Antipasta Salad, marinate the vegetables and cheese in the dressing for a few hours before mixing with the pasta. You can substitute the salami with pepperoni or turkey for a lighter option. If you're looking for a gluten-free version, try using gluten-free rotini or another pasta alternative. Fresh herbs like basil or oregano can also elevate the dish.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this vibrant Rotini Antipasta Salad as a main dish for lunch or dinner, or as a side at barbecues and potlucks. It pairs beautifully with Mediterranean recipes, such as grilled chicken or fish. For a complete meal, consider adding some fresh bread or garlic knots on the side. This salad is also perfect for meal prepping for the week ahead.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors will continue to meld, making it even tastier the next day. If the salad appears dry after refrigeration, add a splash of olive oil or a bit more dressing before serving. Avoid freezing, as the texture of the pasta and vegetables may change.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Rotini Antipasta Salad contains roughly 735 calories, with 20g protein, 45g carbohydrates, and 55g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (62% of the Daily Value), iron (55% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (54% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 668mg per serving (29% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the salad a day in advance. Just remember to add the sliced black olives right before serving to keep them fresh. Chilling the salad allows the flavors to meld together beautifully, making it a great make-ahead dish for parties or gatherings.
What can I substitute for chickpeas?
If you don't have chickpeas on hand, you can substitute them with cannellini beans or kidney beans for a similar texture and flavor. Additionally, you could use cooked lentils for an alternative protein source that adds earthiness to the salad.
Is this salad vegetarian?
This salad contains salami, so it is not vegetarian. However, you can easily make it vegetarian by omitting the salami and adding more vegetables or a plant-based protein like tofu or tempeh. You could also include marinated artichokes or roasted red peppers for added flavor.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).