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Pepperoni Pasta Salad

Name: Pepperoni Pasta Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 6 servings.
Cuisine: Europe, Italian
Ingredients: 2 cups uncooked tricolor spiral pasta; 1 cup cubed cheddar cheese; 1 cup coarsely chopped cucumber; 1 small tomato, chopped; 2 green onions, chopped; 28 pepperoni slices; 1/2 cup zesty Italian salad dressing

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Test Kitchen Approved

Total Time

Prep/Total Time: 30 min.

Makes

6 servings

Using zesty Italian salad dressing is an easy way to add a lot of flavor to this pasta salad with pepperoni. Serve it right away or assemble it ahead of time. Mix and match using your favorite pasta shapes, veggies and cheese. —Shannon Lommen, Kaysville, Utah

Pepperoni Pasta Salad Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

2 cups uncooked tricolor spiral pasta
1 cup cubed cheddar cheese
1 cup coarsely chopped cucumber
1 small tomato, chopped
2 green onions, chopped
28 pepperoni slices
1/2 cup zesty Italian salad dressing

Directions

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. In a large bowl, combine the pasta, cheese, cucumber, tomato, onions and pepperoni. Add salad dressing and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate until serving.

Pasta Salad with Pepperoni Tips

Can you make pasta salad with pepperoni ahead of time?

Like other Italian pasta salad recipes, pasta salad with pepperoni can be made a day in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If it sits longer than that, the cheese tends to soften. Since the pasta absorbs a lot of dressing after refrigerating, consider adding another few tablespoons right before serving to replenish it.

What else can you put in pasta salad with pepperoni?

You can use mozzarella or provolone cheese cubes instead of cheddar. Or, try crumbled feta, shredded Parmesan or miniature fresh mozzarella cheese balls. Feel free to toss in some of your other favorite veggies and cured meats, too.

What can I serve with pasta salad with pepperoni?

Grilled meats go really well with pasta salad with pepperoni. Sandwiches and grilled sausages are also great options.

If I don't have zesty Italian salad dressing, what can I use instead?

A simple Italian vinaigrette recipe or Greek salad dressing recipe could be used instead of zesty Italian.

—Peggy Woodward, Taste of Home Senior Food Editor

Nutrition Facts

3/4 cup: 287 calories, 15g fat (6g saturated fat), 31mg cholesterol, 495mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 11g protein.