Spring Antipasto Pasta Salad (Printable)

Vibrant ditalini tossed with arugula, salami, mozzarella, and pickled vegetables in a 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 - ½ tsp chili flakes
16 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

# Directions:

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 stop cooking; 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 emulsified.
03 - Add the cooked ditalini, arugula, salami, mozzarella, pickled vegetables, red onion, and cherry tomatoes to the bowl with the dressing.
04 - Toss gently but thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly with the dressing. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
05 - Serve immediately for a crunchier texture, or refrigerate for up to 2 hours to allow flavors to meld. Toss again before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The peppery arugula cuts through the rich mozzarella like a bright spring morning
  • Everything gets tossed in one bowl so cleanup is literally five minutes
  • It actually tastes better after sitting in the fridge for a few hours
02 -
  • Rinse the pasta under cold water until it feels cool to the touch or the arugula will wilt instantly
  • Do not add the dressing until right before serving or the pasta will soak up all the liquid
03 -
  • Cut the salami and vegetables into similar sized pieces so you get a little bit of everything in each bite
  • Let the dressing sit for at least 10 minutes before tossing to let the garlic mellow out
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