Homemade Italian Pasta Salad

By brenie_shydee

Ingredients

• 1 (8 ounce) package uncooked tri-color rotini pasta
• 6 ounces pepperoni sausage, diced
• 1 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 small cucumber, thinly sliced
• 3/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
• 3/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
• 1 (6 ounce) can pitted black olives
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard seed
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

Preparation

Step 1

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add rotini pasta, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until al dente. Drain, and rinse with cold water.

2. In a large bowl, mix the cooled pasta, pepperoni, red onion, cucumber, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, olives and Parmesan cheese.

3. In a jar with a lid, mix the olive oil, vinegar, garlic, basil, oregano, ground mustard, salt, and pepper. Seal jar, and shake well.

4. Pour the dressing mixture over the pasta salad, and toss to coat. Cover, and chill 8 hours in the refrigerator