Top-Rated Pasta Salads: Vinegar Antipasto, Chef John’s Macaroni Salad

Vinegar antipasto pasta salad is a refreshing and tangy twist on traditional pasta salad. This recipe combines pasta with a variety of vegetables, olives, and cheese, all marinated in a flavorful vinegar dressing. It’s perfect for picnics, potlucks, or as a side dish for grilled meats. Let’s dive into how to make this delicious and unique pasta salad.

Ingredients for Vinegar Antipasto Pasta Salad

For the Salad:

• 1 pound pasta (such as fusilli or penne)
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup diced cucumber
• 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
• 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper
• 1/2 cup sliced black olives
• 1/2 cup sliced green olives
• 1/2 cup diced red onion
• 1/2 cup cubed mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup cubed provolone cheese
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley

For the Dressing:

• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

How to Make Vinegar Antipasto Pasta Salad

1. Cook the Pasta:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.

1. Prepare the Dressing:

• In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Set aside.

1. Assemble the Salad:

• In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, black olives, green olives, red onion, mozzarella cheese, provolone cheese, and parsley.
• Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until everything is evenly coated.

1. Chill and Serve:

• Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together.
• Serve the vinegar antipasto pasta salad chilled as a side dish or a light main course.

About the Main Ingredients

1. Pasta:

• Pasta is the base of this salad, providing a hearty and satisfying element. Choose a shape that will hold the dressing and other ingredients well, such as fusilli or penne.

1. Vegetables:

• Cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red and green bell peppers, and red onion add freshness and crunch to the salad. They also provide a variety of colors and flavors.

1. Olives:

• Black and green olives add a briny and salty flavor to the salad, which complements the tangy dressing and creamy cheese.

1. Cheese:

• Mozzarella and provolone cheese add a creamy and savory element to the salad. They also help balance out the acidity of the vinegar dressing.

1. Vinegar Dressing:

• The vinegar dressing is what gives this salad its unique flavor. Red wine vinegar and balsamic vinegar provide acidity, while garlic, oregano, and basil add depth and complexity.