Italian Summer Pasta Salad

Ingredients

For the Dressing

  • 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar, plus more to taste
  • 1 garlic clove, finely grated or minced
  • 1/2 tsp dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling

For the Pasta

  • 1 pound orecchiette pasta
  • 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
  • 8 ounces mozzarella, cubed (or use small mozzarella balls)
  • 4 ounces sliced salami, cut into ¼-inch ribbons
  • 3/4 cup sliced Kalamata olives
  • 1/2 cup thinly sliced cucumber
  • 3 tablespoons diced red onion
  • 1 cup coarsely chopped fresh parsley and basil leaves

Instructions

  1. Make the dressing: Combine vinegar, garlic, oregano, dried basil and a pinch of both salt and pepper in a large bowl. Whisk in oil; taste and add more salt, pepper or vinegar as needed. Set aside.
  2. Prepare the pasta: Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until the pasta is al dente. Drain well, transfer to the large bowl, and toss with the dressing while still warm.
  3. Add tomatoes, mozzarella, salami, olives, cucumber and onion to the bowl and toss well; fold in herbs. Taste and season with more salt, pepper and vinegar, if you like.
  4. Drizzle with olive oil and top with cracked black pepper just before serving.