The simple yet flavorful combination of antipasto and pasta makes for a delightful salad that is perfect for any occasion. It’s a vibrant dish bursting with color and packed with Mediterranean flavors, making it a crowd-pleaser at parties and gatherings.
Antipasto is a classic Italian appetizer that consists of a variety of cured meats, cheeses, olives, and vegetables. In this salad, the antipasto is combined with cooked pasta to create a satisfying and filling main course. It’s a great way to use up leftover pasta or antipasto, making it a convenient and budget-friendly meal.
The best part about this antipasto salad recipe with pasta is that it’s incredibly versatile. You can customize it to your liking by using different types of pasta, meats, cheeses, and vegetables. It’s also a great way to showcase seasonal produce, making it perfect for any time of year.
Ingredients and Equipment
- 1 pound of pasta (any shape or variety)
- 1 cup of cooked or cured meats (such as salami, pepperoni, ham, or prosciutto)
- 1 cup of shredded cheese (such as provolone, mozzarella, or Parmesan)
- 1 cup of chopped vegetables (such as olives, tomatoes, peppers, or artichokes)
- 1/2 cup of chopped onion
- 1/4 cup of chopped fresh herbs (such as basil, oregano, or parsley)
- 1/4 cup of olive oil
- 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
- Large bowl
- Colander
- Whisk
How to Make Antipasto Salad with Pasta
1. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Once cooked, drain the pasta in a colander and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process.
2. While the pasta is cooking, prepare the antipasto. Chop the meats, cheese, and vegetables into bite-sized pieces.
3. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, antipasto ingredients, onion, herbs, olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, salt, and pepper. Toss well to combine.
4. Taste the salad and adjust the seasonings if needed. Let the salad sit for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.
5. Serve the antipasto salad with pasta as desired. It can be served as a main course, a side dish, or an appetizer.
6. For a more flavorful salad, marinate the meats and vegetables in the red wine vinegar and olive oil mixture for several hours or overnight before adding them to the salad.
Tips or Possible Variations
1. Use any type of pasta you like for this salad. Short pastas like penne, rotini, or bow-tie pasta are great options, but you can also use longer pastas like spaghetti or linguine.
2. Feel free to experiment with different types of meats, cheeses, and vegetables in your salad. Some popular options include salami, pepperoni, ham, prosciutto, provolone, mozzarella, olives, tomatoes, peppers, and artichokes.
3. If you don’t have any cooked or cured meats on hand, you can use canned or vacuum-packed meats instead. Just be sure to rinse them well before adding them to the salad.
The antipasto salad with pasta is a versatile and flavorful dish that is sure to please everyone at your next gathering. Experiment with different ingredients and variations to create a salad that is uniquely yours.
Whether you serve it as a main course, a side dish, or an appetizer, this salad is sure to be a hit. It’s a great way to use up leftover pasta and antipasto, making it a convenient and budget-friendly meal.