Savory Italian-American Deli Sandwich Pasta Salad

Italian-American deli sandwich-style pasta salad

Italian-American deli sandwich-style pasta salad

When I decided to whip up my Italian-American deli sandwich-style pasta salad last week, I was excited to use up some of the leftover antipasti from our weekend charcuterie board. I had some jarred sweet red pepper drops and a mix of sundried tomatoes, olives, and red peppers just waiting to shine. Instead of the conchiglie I had on hand, I ended up using rotini because I couldn’t resist those little spirals that hold onto the dressing so well. As I tossed everything together, I was pleasantly surprised by how the tangy kick from the Dijon mustard and the creaminess of the Greek yogurt melded together. I was trying to save a bit of time and grabbed a pre-chopped jar of artichoke hearts, but I mistakenly added a bit too much of the liquid from the jar, making the salad a touch more saucy than I intended. Yet, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise; that extra zing actually brightened the whole dish! This pasta salad is not just a side; it’s a celebration of flavors that brought back memories of my favorite deli sandwiches. I served it at a casual family gathering, and everyone went back for seconds! Now, let’s get to the recipe so you can try this delightful dish for yourself.

Italian-American deli sandwich-style pasta salad

Total: 30 mins | Serves: 6

Ingredients

  • 350g shell pasta
  • 50ml extra virgin olive oil
  • 100g assorted antipasti vegetables in olive oil, coarsely chopped, along with 50ml oil from the jar (ours included sun-dried tomatoes, red bell peppers, and olives)
  • 50g sweet red pepper pieces, plus 1 tbsp of the jar's liquid
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 2 tbsp Greek-style yogurt
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 70g artichoke hearts, coarsely chopped
  • 90g Napoli salami, cut into small chunks
  • 90g garlic-stuffed olives, coarsely chopped
  • 170g bocconcini, drained and halved if large
  • 20g basil leaves, coarsely chopped, plus a few whole leaves for garnish

Instructions

Step 1

Boil salted water and cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and rinse it under cold water to cool.

Step 2

In a large bowl, combine olive oil, the oil from the antipasti, red pepper liquid, mustard, yogurt, and oregano. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Step 3

Gently mix the pasta with the antipasti vegetables, artichoke hearts, peppers, salami, olives, bocconcini, and basil until everything is well coated in the dressing. Transfer to a serving dish and add more basil for garnish.

Nutrition Information

calories: 615 calories
fat: 38 grams fat
carbohydrate: 48 grams carbohydrates
protein: 17 grams protein
fiber: 6 grams fiber
sugar: 5 grams sugar

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My Tip

For the best texture in your Italian-American deli sandwich-style pasta salad, make sure to rinse the conchiglie under cold water immediately after draining. This stops the cooking process and helps the pasta maintain its delightful bite, preventing it from becoming mushy when mixed with the dressing and veggies.

Leftovers

To store your Italian-American deli sandwich-style pasta salad, pop it in an airtight glass container in the fridge, where it’ll stay fresh for up to three days. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, just give it a quick toss and serve it cold, or warm it gently in the microwave for about 30 seconds, stirring halfway through to keep everything nice and creamy.

Make It Your Own

For a delightful twist, swap the conchiglie for gluten-free pasta made from chickpeas or lentils. It adds a lovely nutty flavor and keeps the dish hearty while catering to gluten sensitivities!

What I'd Do Differently

As I savored this Italian-American deli sandwich-style pasta salad, I couldn't help but think of adding a sprinkle of fresh basil next time for an extra burst of freshness. The combination of those sweet red pepper drops and the tangy artichokes was delightful, but a touch of feta could bring a lovely creaminess to the mix. I can’t wait to make this again and see how those little tweaks transform it!

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