This Italian-Style Salami Pasta Salad is a hearty dish packed with pasta, salami, cherry tomatoes, olives, and toasted pine nuts. A deliciously vibrant and satisfying pasta salad inspired by classic Italian flavours, and best of all, tossed in a zesty lemon herb dressing. It’s perfect for a quick lunch, dinner, or meal prep!

Ingredients:

  • 250g pasta of choice
  • 200-250g cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 100g salami, sliced into thin strips
  • 80g pitted green olives, halved
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
  • 1/3 cup pickled red onion
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 handfuls mixed lettuce
  • Pinch of chili flakes (optional)

For the Italian-Style Lemon Herb Dressing:

  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1-2 tbsp honey
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

Cook the Pasta:
Cook your pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside to cool slightly.

Toast the Pine Nuts:
In a pan over medium heat, toast the pine nuts until golden and fragrant. Set aside.

Prepare the Ingredients:

  • Slice the cherry tomatoes and olives in half.
  • Slice the salami into thin strips.

Make the Dressing:
In a blender, combine olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, fresh parsley, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth and emulsified.

Assemble the Salad:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, salami, olives, pickled red onions, Parmesan cheese, toasted pine nuts, and mixed lettuce. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until everything is well combined.

Serve:
Serve immediately as a delicious lunch or dinner option. If meal-prepping, leave out the lettuce and add it fresh on the day you plan to eat the salad.

See the video below for a visual step by step!