Spring Antipasto Pasta Salad (Print Version)

Lively ditalini with arugula, salami, mozzarella, and pickled vegetables in a bright, zesty dressing.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 10 oz ditalini pasta
02 - Salt for boiling water

→ Salad Base

03 - 3.5 oz fresh arugula
04 - 4 oz salami, sliced into strips or small cubes
05 - 5 oz fresh mozzarella pearls or diced mozzarella
06 - 3.5 oz pickled vegetables such as giardiniera, pepperoncini, or mixed Italian pickles, chopped
07 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
08 - 8 cherry tomatoes, halved

→ Zesty Dressing

09 - 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
10 - 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
11 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
12 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
13 - 1 garlic clove, finely minced
14 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
15 - 0.5 teaspoon chili flakes, optional
16 - Salt and black pepper to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook ditalini according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse briefly under cold water to cool; set aside.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, oregano, chili flakes if using, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
03 - Add the cooled ditalini, arugula, salami, mozzarella, pickled vegetables, sliced red onion, and halved cherry tomatoes to the bowl with dressing.
04 - Gently toss all ingredients to coat evenly with dressing. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
05 - Serve immediately or chill for up to 2 hours to allow flavors to meld. Toss again gently before serving.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It tastes like springtime crashed into an Italian deli and decided to stay for lunch.
  • The dressing clings to every ridged piece of pasta so no bite is ever boring.
  • You can make it ahead and it actually gets better as it sits.
  • It feeds a crowd without turning your kitchen into a disaster zone.
02 -
  • Rinse the pasta just enough to cool it down but not so much that you wash away all the starch, which helps the dressing cling.
  • Add the arugula right before serving if you're making this ahead, it wilts fast and loses its bite.
  • Don't skip the Dijon, it's the secret that keeps the dressing from separating into a slick puddle at the bottom.
03 -
  • Use the best olive oil you can afford, it makes a noticeable difference in a simple dressing like this.
  • If your red onion is too sharp, soak the slices in cold water for ten minutes before adding them.
  • Taste the pickled vegetables first, some brands are saltier than others and you may need to adjust the seasoning accordingly.
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