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Loaded Italian Pasta Salad

This loaded Italian pasta salad combines tri-colored pasta, pepperoni, salami, artichoke hearts, mozzarella pearls, Kalamata olives, and fresh vegetables in a bold Italian dressing. A crowd-pleasing make-ahead side dish.
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Ingredients
  

  • 1 pack tri-colored pasta cooked, drained, and cooled
  • 4 tablespoons marinated oil from a jar of marinated artichoke hearts
  • 1 1/4 cups Olive Garden Light Italian Dressing plus more for serving if needed
  • 1 tablespoon McCormick Perfect Pinch Salad Supreme
  • 1 tablespoon McCormick Perfect Pinch Italian Seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 cup chopped tomatoes
  • 1 1/2 cups sweet mini bell peppers chopped
  • 4 tablespoons red or purple onion finely chopped
  • 1 heaping cup Kalamata olives
  • 1 12- ounce jar marinated artichoke hearts finely chopped
  • 1 pound pepperoni chopped
  • 1 1/2 pounds salami sliced thin from the deli and chopped into small cubes
  • 1 pack fresh mozzarella pearls
  • 1 small container freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • Burrata cheese ball for topping, optional

Method
 

  1. Cook your tri-colored pasta in heavily salted water according to the package directions. Drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside until completely cooled.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, add the marinated artichoke oil, Olive Garden Light Italian Dressing, Salad Supreme, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Mix well to combine.
  3. Add the chopped tomatoes and sweet mini bell peppers. Stir them into the dressing so they can start soaking up all that flavor.
  4. Add the red onion, Kalamata olives, chopped marinated artichoke hearts, pepperoni, and salami. Toss everything together until well combined.
  5. Add the fresh mozzarella pearls and gently stir.
  6. Add the cooled tri-colored pasta and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Toss everything together until the pasta is fully coated and all the ingredients are evenly mixed.
  7. Cover and chill before serving.
  8. Right before serving, give it a good stir and add a little extra Italian dressing if needed. Top with a burrata cheese ball if desired.