Cold Italian Pasta Cups
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Diet: Standard
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz Rotini or Fusilli pasta
- 1 cup Zesty Italian dressing
- 1 cup Cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup English cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup Black olives, sliced
- 8 oz Mozzarella pearls (small balls)
- 4 oz Salami or pepperoni, diced
- 1/4 cup Red onion, finely minced
- 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 12–15 clear plastic or glass appetizer cups
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to the package directions until it reaches “al dente” texture. Do not overcook, as the pasta needs to hold its shape after being mixed with the dressing.
- Once the pasta is cooked, drain it immediately in a colander. Rinse the pasta under cold running water to stop the cooking process and wash away excess starch. This ensures the pasta stays firm and doesn’t stick together.
- While the pasta drains, chop your cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, salami, and red onion. Place these ingredients into a large mixing bowl along with the mozzarella pearls, sliced olives, and fresh parsley.
- Add the cooled pasta to the large bowl with the vegetables and meat. Pour the Italian dressing over the mixture and sprinkle with oregano, salt, and pepper. Toss everything thoroughly until the pasta and vegetables are evenly coated in the dressing.
- Using a spoon or a small scoop, distribute the pasta salad into individual clear cups. Make sure each cup gets a good balance of pasta, cheese, and vegetables. Cover the cups with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Find it online: https://www.cozinty.com/snacks/cold-italian-pasta-cups/