Lively pasta salad with 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 - ½ teaspoon chili flakes, optional
16 - Salt and black pepper to taste
# How-To 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, then set aside.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, oregano, chili flakes if using, salt, and pepper until well combined.
03 - Add the cooled ditalini, arugula, salami, mozzarella, pickled vegetables, red onion, and cherry tomatoes to the bowl with the dressing.
04 - Toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly with the dressing, ensuring every component is well distributed.
05 - Taste the salad and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
06 - Serve immediately, or chill for up to 2 hours to allow flavors to meld. Toss again gently before serving.
