The Best Pasta Salad Recipe with Homemade Dressing

This pasta salad recipe is bursting with flavor thanks to homemade dressing and roasted tomatoes. It is a delicious, make-ahead BBQ side dish full of fresh veggies, pepperoni and fresh mozzarella cheese.

📝 Ingredients

• 16 ounces rotini pasta ((uncooked, 4 cups))
• 1 cup pepperoni ((diced))
• 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese ((cubed))
• 1 cucumber (diced)
• 2 cups bell pepper (diced (colors of your choice))
• 12 ounces black olives ((sliced))
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese ((grated))
• 1 cup olive oil
• ½ cup white balsamic vinegar*
• 2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 2 tsp dried basil
• 2 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp ground mustard
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp ground black pepper
• 2 pint baby tomatoes
• 2 TBS olive oil
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp ground black pepper

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1--- Make the Dressing ---
2. 2In a small bowl or Pyrex measuring cup, mix together the dressing ingredients. Set aside.
3. 3--- Roast the Tomatoes ---
4. 4Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
5. 5Slice the baby tomatoes in half.
6. 6Toss with olive oil, salt and pepper.
7. 7Spread onto a large baking sheet and bake for 60-90 minutes.
8. 8Once tomatoes are shriveled and roasted to your liking, remove from oven and let cool.
9. 9--- Cook the Pasta ---
10. 10Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions.
11. 11When finished, drain in a colander. Do not rinse.
12. 12--- Assemble the Pasta Salad ---
13. 13In a large bowl, mix the pasta, pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, cucumber, bell pepper, , olives, and Parmesan cheese.
14. 14Add the dressing and stir to combine.
15. 15Stir in the roosted tomatoes.
16. 16Chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours (or overnight) before serving.