Salami Caprese Pasta Salad {Homemade Dressing}
This salami caprese pasta salad is easy to make and full of flavor. It even comes with a quick and easy homemade balsamic dressing.
Sometimes a hearty salad with meat and pasta is in order like this Salami Caprese Pasta Salad.
This salad makes a colorful appetizer or side dish.
Or it can be served with garlic bread for a hearty, but light main dish.
The pasta in this salad is a small version of penne which is a nice complement to the other ingredients.
I especially like the smaller size pasta so that it doesn’t take over the salad.
It’s a good salad for making ahead of time too.
If making this ahead of time, wait to add the chopped basil and vinaigrette until just before serving.
The balsamic vinaigrette is easy to make and tastes wonderful alongside the fresh ingredients, pasta, and salami.
This is such a pretty salad to bring to a potluck or to have when guests come over.
Let’s check out the ingredients.
Salad – Cooked penne pasta, salami, fresh mozzarella cheese balls, sweet grape tomatoes (or teardrop, or cherry tomatoes), red onion, fresh basil, olive oil, salt and pepper
Pasta – Small-size penne pasta, water and salt
Balsamic Vinaigrette – Balsamic vinegar, olive oil, brown sugar, granulated garlic, salt and pepper
HOW TO MAKE THIS RECIPE
A printable recipe with the measurements and instructions is located at the bottom of this post.
For the Pasta:
In a medium size pot add water and bring it to a boil.
To the boiling water, add salt.
To the pot, add penne pasta and stir.
Let cook while occasionally stirring until the pasta is al dente (firm) (about 10 minutes or according to package instructions).
Drain the pasta (don’t rinse) and set aside.
TIP – Don’t rinse the pasta after cooking it. When pasta is rinsed, the starch is removed. The starch on pasta helps to hold and absorb the sauce or dressing so it’s important to keep the starch on the pasta.
For the Pasta Salad:
Drain the liquid out of the mozzarella cheese container.
To a large bowl, add the cheese.
Cut the tomatoes in half widthwise,
and add to the bowl.
Chop the red onions (not too small, about 1-inch-size pieces)…
…and add them to the bowl.
Then cut each piece of salami into 6 triangular pieces (like cutting a pizza)…
…and add to the bowl.
Next to the bowl, add the pasta…
olive oil,
salt and pepper.
Then,
gently stir the ingredients together…
…so that the pasta is coated with the olive oil, salt and pepper.
Transfer the pasta salad to a serving bowl or plate.
Then,
top with thinly sliced fresh basil.
Set aside while making the dressing.
For the Balsamic Vinaigrette:
In a small bowl, add all of the ingredients and whisk together.
Just before serving, drizzle the vinaigrette on top of the salami caprese pasta salad.
Serve as an appetizer or…
…as a side salad.
Thank you so much for stopping by CCC!
SUBSCRIBE TO CCC
Don’t Miss a CCC Recipe! Subscribe now to Coupon Clipping Cook and get an email each time we have a new post. CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO COUPON CLIPPING COOK.
Salami Caprese Pasta Salad with Homemade Dressing
Ingredients
For the Pasta:
- 1/2 cup uncooked (dry) small size penne pasta
- 2 teaspoons salt (for the boiling water)
For the Pasta Salad:
- 1 container (8 ounces) fresh mozzarella cheese balls liquid from the container drained out
- 1-1/2 cups cut sweet grape, teardrop or cherry tomatoes cut in half widthwise
- 16 slices salami each slice cut into 6 triangular pieces (like cutting a pizza)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3/4 cup chopped red onion
- 1/3 cup thinly sliced fresh basil
For the Balsamic Vinaigrette:
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 2 dashes granulated garlic
- 3 dashes ground black pepper
- 3 dashes salt
Instructions
For the Pasta:
- In a medium size pot, add water and bring it to a boil. To the boiling water, add salt. To the pot, add penne pasta and stir.
- Let cook while occasionally stirring until the pasta is al dente (firm) (about 10 minutes or according to package instructions).
- Drain the pasta (don't rinse). Don’t rinse the pasta after cooking it. When pasta is rinsed, the starch is removed. The starch on pasta helps to hold and absorb the sauce or dressing so it’s important to keep the starch on the pasta. Set aside.
For the Pasta Salad:
- To a large bowl, add the mozzarella cheese balls, red onion, salami, pasta, olive oil, salt and pepper.
- Gently stir all ingredients together so that the pasta is coated with the olive oil, salt and pepper.
- Top with thinly sliced fresh basil. Set aside while making the vinaigrette.
For the Balsamic Vinaigrette:
- In a small bowl, add all of the ingredients and whisk together.
- Just before serving whisk again and drizzle the vinaigrette on top of the salami caprese pasta salad.
Notes
TIP:
Don’t rinse the pasta after cooking it. When pasta is rinsed, the starch is removed. The starch on pasta helps to hold and absorb the sauce so it’s important to keep the starch on the pasta.Serving Suggestions
Here are some side dishes that would go great with this salad “Easy Homemade Garlic Bread“, “Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Soup with Apple” and “Slow Cooker Split Pea and Ham Soup“.
Side Dish Recipes
Here are more side dish recipes to bring to a potluck you may like “Easy Potato Salad with Egg“, “Homestyle Elbow Macaroni Salad” and “Cherry Pineapple and Mandarin Orange Ambrosia“.
Pasta Recipes
More Pasta Recipes You May Like:
How to Make Homemade Elbow Macaroni Salad
Linguine with Tomato Cream Sauce
