Spring Antipasto Pasta Salad (Print Version)

Lively pasta salad featuring ditalini, arugula, salami, mozzarella, and tangy pickled vegetables in a bright zesty dressing.

# What You'll 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 such as giardiniera, pepperoncini, or mixed Italian pickles, chopped
07 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
08 - 8 cherry tomatoes, halved

→ Zesty Dressing

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

# How To Make It:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ditalini according to package instructions 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 if using, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
03 - Add the cooked ditalini, arugula, salami, mozzarella, pickled vegetables, red onion, and cherry tomatoes to the bowl.
04 - Toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly with the dressing. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
05 - Serve immediately, or chill for up to 2 hours to allow flavors to meld. Toss again before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The dressing hits every bright note you want on a warm day, with vinegar and lemon making everything sing
  • It actually gets better as it sits, so you can make it ahead without that guilty last minute scramble
02 -
  • Overcooking the pasta will ruin this salad completely, it needs to maintain some structure in all that dressing
  • The arugula might seem like a lot when you add it, but it wilts down and becomes perfect
03 -
  • Taste a piece of your pickled vegetables before adding them, some brands are much more aggressive than others
  • Reserve a handful of fresh herbs to scatter on top right before serving for that professional finish
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