Quick Italian Pasta Salad (with 1 Secret Ingredient)
Quick Italian Pasta Salad (with 1 Secret Ingredient) is a vibrant and refreshing dish that perfectly balances flavors and textures. This delightful pasta salad features rotini noodles mixed with fresh vegetables, turkey meats, and a zesty homemade dressing, all enhanced by a secret ingredient—organic lemon juice—that adds a bright twist. Ideal for picnics, potlucks, or family dinners, this recipe is quick to prepare and can easily be customized with your favorite veggies or proteins. Enjoy the burst of flavor in every bite while keeping it healthy and satisfying!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cold Preparation
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb rotini noodles
- 3.5 to 4 oz turkey pepperoni (about 3/4 cup, quartered)
- 4 oz turkey slices (about 3/4 cup, cut into quarters)
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1 cup black olives (halved and drained)
- 1 orange bell pepper (diced)
- 1 green bell pepper (diced)
- 1/2 cup finely diced red onion
- 2 tbsp chopped pepperoncini
- 8 oz mozzarella pearls
- 3/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup red apple vinegar
- 2 tbsp organic lemon juice
- Grated parmesan cheese and minced parsley for topping
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp paprika powder
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp sugar
Instructions
- Cook rotini noodles in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- While pasta cooks, prepare vegetables: dice bell peppers, halve tomatoes and olives, quarter turkey meats.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, red apple vinegar, lemon juice, and seasonings until blended.
- In a large bowl, combine cooled noodles with turkey meats, vegetables, mozzarella pearls, and dressing. Toss gently to coat.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to let flavors meld.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (200g)
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 20mg