Spring Antipasto Pasta Salad (Printable version)

Vibrant ditalini tossed with arugula, salami, mozzarella, and pickled vegetables in a zesty dressing.

# Ingredients list:

→ 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 (giardiniera, pepperoncini, or mixed Italian pickles), 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 (optional)
16 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

# Steps:

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 soaks into every tiny ditalini, making each bite perfectly tangy and bright
  • It comes together in under 30 minutes but tastes like you spent all day planning it
  • Leftovers keep beautifully for lunch the next day, if there are any
02 -
  • Rinsing the pasta under cold water prevents it from becoming gummy and stops the cooking process completely
  • Letting the salad sit for at least 30 minutes lets the flavors marry together into something extraordinary
03 -
  • Chop the pickled vegetables smaller than you think you need them, otherwise big pieces overwhelm each bite
  • Use the sharpest knife you have for the red onion so the slices are paper thin
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