Italian Hero Pasta Salad with Cherry Pepper Vinaigrette
As a self-proclaimed “sandwich girl” from New Jersey, I’ve always loved eating heroes (or hoagies) from my hometown deli. This Italian Hero Pasta Salad is my tribute to those flavors I grew up enjoying, bringing together two deli staples: sandwiches and pasta salads. For this recipe, I like to use radiatori pasta because it’s unique ridges help soak up and cling to the cherry pepper vinaigrette, ensuring every bite is bursting with flavor. I combine the pasta with savory salami, nutty Parmesan cheese, fresh tomatoes and basil, and piquant red onions, but the real magic comes from the tangy vinaigrette, which brings all the flavors together beautifully. It’s a refreshing summer dish that’s perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a simple weeknight dinner, and it only tastes better the longer it sits and marinates!
Servings: 4 to 6
Difficulty: Special Equipment: Blender or food processor
Special Equipment: Blender or food processor
Ingredients:
1 lb Radiatori pasta
1 jar hot cherry peppers
1 package salami
4 oz Parmesan cheese
1 small red onion
1 pint cherry tomatoes
1 bunch fresh basil
2-3 cloves garlic
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoons red wine vinegar
Method:
Wash the ingredients
Wash and dry the cherry tomatoes and fresh basil.
Cook the pasta
Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions, or until cooked through. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Cool to room temperature.
Prepare the ingredients
Meanwhile, cut the tomatoes in half. Quarter the onion and thinly slice. Small dice the salami. Grate 1 cup of parmesan cheese. Chiffonade the basil by stacking and rolling the leaves into a tight coil, then thinly slice crosswise into long strips. Drain the cherry peppers (reserving the liquid).
Make the vinaigrette
In a blender or food processor, add the drained cherry peppers, garlic cloves, honey, red wine vinegar, 1/2 cup of the reserved cherry pepper liquid, 1/2 cup of olive oil, and a big pinch of salt. Pulse until smooth and glossy; taste then season with additional salt, if desired.
Finish the pasta salad
To the bowl of drained and cooled pasta, add the tomatoes, salami, 3/4 of the parmesan cheese, 3/4 of the basil, 3/4 of the cherry pepper vinaigrette, and as much of the sliced onion as you want. Toss until combined and then season if desired. Serve the finished pasta salad in a bowl and top with the remaining vinaigrette; garnish with the remaining grated parmesan cheese and basil. Enjoy!