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Easy Flavor-Packed Bento Box Pasta Salad Recipe with Salami and Mozzarella

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A quick and easy pasta salad featuring rotini or penne pasta, salami, fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and a tangy vinaigrette. Perfect for bento boxes, lunch prep, or a fresh, satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces (225 g) rotini or penne pasta
  • 4 ounces (115 g) salami, sliced into bite-sized pieces
  • 8 ounces (225 g) fresh mozzarella balls or cubed
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ½ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
  • ¼ cup fresh basil, roughly chopped
  • ¼ cup red onion, finely diced (optional)
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 ½ tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of rotini or penne pasta and cook according to package instructions (about 10-12 minutes) until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse briefly under cold water to stop cooking and cool it down. Set aside to drain completely.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 1 ½ tablespoons red wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 minced garlic clove, salt, pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes if desired. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  3. While pasta cooks, slice 4 ounces of salami into bite-sized pieces, halve 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, slice ½ cup Kalamata olives, finely dice ¼ cup red onion (if using), and roughly chop ¼ cup fresh basil. Cube or tear 8 ounces of fresh mozzarella balls.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, salami, mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, olives, red onion, and basil. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently but thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly.
  5. Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors marry. Before serving, give it a gentle toss again. Portion out with fresh fruit or crunchy veggies if packing for a bento box.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta; rinse under cold water to stop cooking and prevent clumping. Use fresh mozzarella for best texture and flavor. Mix dressing fresh and toss salad gently to keep ingredients intact. If salad seems dry after chilling, add a little more olive oil or vinegar.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta salad, bento box, salami, mozzarella, easy lunch, picnic recipe, quick pasta salad, summer salad

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