Description
If you love a classic Italian sub, you’re going to be obsessed with this pasta salad version! It’s got all the flavors of your favorite hoagie—salami, pepperoni, provolone, and fresh veggies—tossed together with perfectly cooked pasta and a zippy Italian dressing.
Ingredients
For the Pasta Salad:
- 12 oz rotini or penne pasta
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup red bell pepper, diced
- ½ cup sliced banana peppers
- ½ cup red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup black olives, sliced
- 4 oz salami, chopped
- 4 oz pepperoni, chopped
- 4 oz provolone cheese, cubed
- ¼ cup fresh basil, chopped
For the Dressing:
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
Start by boiling your pasta until it’s al dente—firm but not mushy. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and keep the pasta from sticking together.
While the pasta cools, chop up all the sub-inspired ingredients—crisp bell peppers, juicy cherry tomatoes, briny olives, and zesty banana peppers. Dice the salami, pepperoni, and provolone into bite-sized pieces so you get a little of everything in each bite.
In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, and seasonings until emulsified. This dressing is tangy, herby, and full of Italian sub flavor!
In a large mixing bowl, combine the pasta, meats, cheese, and veggies. Drizzle with the homemade dressing and toss everything together until well coated. Let the salad sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to blend beautifully.
Before serving, give the salad a quick toss and top with fresh basil for an extra burst of flavor. Enjoy it cold or at room temperature.