Lively pasta salad inspired by viral grinder—ditalini with arugula, salami, mozzarella, and tangy pickles in bright zesty dressing.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 10 oz ditalini pasta
02 - Salt for boiling water
→ Salad Base
03 - 3.5 oz fresh arugula
04 - 4 oz salami, sliced into strips or small cubes
05 - 5 oz fresh mozzarella pearls or diced mozzarella
06 - 3.5 oz pickled vegetables such as giardiniera, pepperoncini, or mixed Italian pickles, chopped
07 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
08 - 8 cherry tomatoes, halved
→ Zesty Dressing
09 - 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
10 - 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
11 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
12 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
13 - 1 garlic clove, finely minced
14 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
15 - ½ teaspoon red chili flakes, optional
16 - Salt and black pepper to taste
# Step-by-Step Guide:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ditalini according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse briefly under cold water to cool, then set aside.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, dried oregano, chili flakes if using, salt, and black pepper.
03 - Add the cooked ditalini, arugula, salami, mozzarella, pickled vegetables, red onion, and cherry tomatoes to the bowl with the dressing.
04 - Toss all ingredients gently to coat evenly with the dressing. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
05 - Serve immediately for a warm salad, or refrigerate for up to 2 hours to allow flavors to meld. Toss again before serving to redistribute the dressing.
