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Delicious Quick Non-alcoholic Antipasto Pesto Pasta Salad

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This Quick Non-alcoholic Antipasto Pesto Pasta Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights or potlucks. Packed with fresh ingredients and a delicious pesto dressing, it’s a meal everyone can enjoy.

Ingredients

  • Short Pasta Shapes (fusilli, rotini, penne, or orecchiette)
  • Basil Pesto
  • Beef Pepperoni or Beef Salami
  • Fresh Mozzarella Balls (Bocconcini)
  • Provolone or Mild Cheddar
  • Pitted Black Olives or Kalamata Olives
  • Cherry Tomatoes
  • Marinated Artichoke Hearts
  • Roasted Red Peppers
  • Red Onion
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Regular Red Wine Vinegar or Apple Cider Vinegar
  • Salt
  • Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add your chosen short pasta and cook according to package directions until it’s perfectly al dente.
  2. Cool the Pasta: Once cooked, drain the pasta well and rinse it briefly under cold water. Transfer the cooled pasta to a large mixing bowl.
  3. Prepare Your Antipasto Elements: Drain the marinated artichoke hearts and slice them if they are very large. Drain and pat dry the roasted red peppers, then slice them into bite-sized strips. Halve the cherry tomatoes. Slice the pitted olives in half. Cube your provolone or cheddar cheese. If using larger bocconcini, halve them; otherwise, leave the mini ones whole. Thinly slice your beef pepperoni or beef salami into rounds or quarters. Very thinly slice a small amount of red onion.
  4. Combine Everything: Add all the prepared antipasto ingredients to the large bowl with the cooled pasta.
  5. Add the Pesto: Dollop a generous amount of your basil pesto over the pasta and antipasto mixture.
  6. Gently Toss to Combine: Using a large spoon or spatula, gently toss all the ingredients together until evenly coated in the pesto.
  7. Season and Taste: Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
  8. Chill (Optional, but Recommended): Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld together.

Nutrition

Keywords: Feel free to customize your antipasto selection! Other great additions could be sun-dried tomatoes, marinated mushrooms, or capers. This salad is also great for meal prep, as the flavors deepen as it sits.

Find it online: https://crumella.com/delicious-quick-non-alcoholic-antipasto-pesto-pasta-salad/