Description
A vibrant, protein-packed pasta salad that stays crunchy and flavorful for up to five days. Perfect for meal prep, this dish combines rotini, salami, artichokes, and a zesty vinaigrette for an efficient and delicious lunch solution.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz rotini pasta
- 6 oz salami or pepperoni, sliced into bite-sized pieces
- 1 can (14 oz) marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
- 4 oz feta cheese, crumbled
- 1 large red bell pepper, chopped into small squares
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- 1/2 medium red onion, sliced into thin half-moons
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rotini and cook according to package directions, reducing time by 1 minute to keep it al dente.
- Drain pasta in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Shake well to remove excess water.
- While pasta cooks, chop salami, bell pepper, olives, artichokes, and red onion. Pat all ingredients dry with paper towels to remove moisture.
- In a small jar or bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper until emulsified.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cooled pasta, chopped veggies, salami, and feta cheese.
- Pour dressing over the mixture and toss gently but thoroughly until every piece is coated.
- Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Portion into containers and store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Notes
Drain and pat dry all ingredients thoroughly to prevent a watery salad. The flavors improve after sitting in the fridge for a day. Do not freeze this salad as the pasta and vegetables will become mushy. If the salad becomes too dry after chilling, add a splash of reserved pasta water or extra olive oil.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 18
Keywords: pasta salad, meal prep, antipasto, italian salad, rotini, salami, meal prep lunch, healthy lunch, make ahead