Warm weather has finally arrived. Days are getting longer… and I’m finally waking up to color. The gray of winter ice is gone and the lake has come alive with nature and plenty of recreational activity. Mornings have been starting off with a calm tranquility before the action begins. I thought I’d share a little piece of my mornings lately in this part of the world here in Madison, Wisconsin, USA…
Yesterday I made this Antipasto Pasta Salad that we love. I originally got the recipe off of a food message board where it received rave reviews. There are a lot of recipes for antipasto salads, but once I started making it this way, I never looked back. It has such great flavors running through it that it’s a hit everywhere I take it… and a regular in the summertime at our own house. Let the summer begin!
Antipasto Pasta Salad
Servings: 12
Ingredients:
1 pound seashell pasta (I use orecchiette pasta)
1/4 pound Genoa salami, chopped
1/4 pound pepperoni sausage, chopped
1/2 pound Asiago cheese, diced
1 (6 ounce) can black olives, drained and chopped
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 yellow bell pepper, chopped (I use yellow)
3 tomatoes, chopped (or equivalent in grape tomates or cherry tomatoes, halved)
(Optional: thinly sliced red onion)
1 (.7 ounce) package dry Italian-style salad dressing mix
Dressing:
3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
salt and ground black pepper to taste
Directions:
Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain, and cool under cold water.
In a large bowl, combine the pasta, salami, pepperoni, Asiago cheese, black olives, red bell pepper, green bell pepper and tomatoes. Stir in the envelope of dressing mix. Cover, and refrigerate for at least one hour.
To prepare the dressing, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, oregano, parsley, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper. Just before serving, pour dressing over the salad, and mix well.
julie could i use a difrent cheese im not found of that one maybe some fetta
Hi Tammy, First of all…I’m not a huge Asiago fan either, but I love it in this. It’s pretty mild and incredible tasting. That being said, if I were going to substitute it, I’d probably go with a mozzarella or provolone. You could really put whatever you like in it, but I’d say a milder cheese would be best. I’m sure whatever you do will work and you’ll love it! 🙂
This is easy and straightforward to make, full of my favourite ingredients: pasta, salami, sausage, cheese, capsicum and tomato. I love all these ingredients so this pasta must taste great. I have bookmarked this one. Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful weekend.
Thanks, Liz! It’s definitely easy, makes a ton and keeps for several days. I do hope you get a chance to make it! Have a great weekend as well! 🙂
Such a nice view to se every morning, Spring or not. Your salad is a good one. Like the mix of ingredients and I bet they combine to make a very flavorful salad. Thanks for sharing your recipe.
Thanks, John… I appreciate your support!! Looking forward to your next post!
Wow, wow, wow. It is my biggest dream to live by a lake. Gorgeous views 🙂 Thanks for sharing this pasta dish recipe. I was on the lookout for a light summer dish and I think I might just have found one. This will be perfect for a picnic too. Thank you!
Hi Gigi, Thanks so much! It was mine, too and I never gave up working toward “a house on the lake.” Years later it finally happened! I do hope you try this pasta dish. It’s really a good one! Thanks for stopping by… 🙂
I want both! A visit to chat on your porch…and a side of salad! Beautiful visit we just had!!! Thanks!
I’d love to have you… There’s plenty of room and pasta to go around!
Your porch is dreamy!
Thanks so much… my favorite place in our home!
Love this salad!
Thanks…it’s an easy reliable one for sure!