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A white bowl with pasta salad with italian dressing, with tomato, mozzarella, basil leaves and shavings of Parmiggiano. The bowl is sitting on a white dishtowel with forks, a glass of water and salad tongs in the background.
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5 from 1 vote

Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing

Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing is a must make for any occasion! A summer classic loaded with cherry tomatoes, pine nuts, Italian ham, mozzarella, and fresh basil. Perfect side dish for BBQ parties, potlucks, or as a quick weeknight meal!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 8

Ingredients

For the Dressing:

  • 1 garlic clove minced
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tbsp basil pesto
  • 1 tsp dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp honey
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

For the Pasta Salad:

  • 1 lb farfalle pasta or other pasta of choice
  • 1/3 cup pine nuts
  • 8 oz fresh mozzarella pearls halved
  • 1/3 cup diced dried tomatoes
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes quartered
  • 8 oz Italian style ham diced into 0.5" cubes
  • 1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup basil leaves

Instructions

  • Place all the dressing ingredients in a jar or dressing shaker and shake well until combined. Set aside.
  • Cook pasta according to packet directions until al dente. Drain cooked pasta and rinse under cold water. Transfer cooked pasta into large bowl.
  • Roast pine nuts at medium heat until they're golden brown and smell flavorful. Add to the pasta.
  • Add remaining pasta salad ingredients and drizzle over the dressing. Toss until combined. Serve at room temperature or store in the fridge until you want to serve it. This salad tastes great on the next day!

Nutrition

Calories: 522kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 611mg | Potassium: 497mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 375IU | Vitamin C: 10.6mg | Calcium: 178mg | Iron: 2.2mg