Pasta Salad with Homemade Dressing

Ingredients

• 1 (8 ounce) package uncooked tri-color rotini pasta
• 6 ounces pepperoni sausage, diced
• 6 ounces provolone cheese, cubed
• 1 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 small cucumber, thinly sliced
• ¾ cup chopped green bell pepper
• ¾ cup chopped red bell pepper
• 1 (6 ounce) can pitted black olives
• ¼ cup minced fresh parsley
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ cup olive oil
• ¼ cup red wine vinegar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon ground mustard seed
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

Step 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.

Step 2

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

Step 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.

Step 4

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

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving: 443 calories; protein 15.9g; carbohydrates 25.4g; fat 32g; cholesterol 38.9mg; sodium 835.7mg.