This crowd-pleasing Italian pasta salad with pepperoni is a huge hit at every family gathering. I've partnered with BRILLIANCE Lunch by Rubbermaid to share this super easy recipe with you.
This summer has been nothing short of hectic, and we've loved every minute of it! We've spent almost every other weekend visiting my parents in my hometown (that is 2.5 hours away) because there was so much to celebrate this year. I've got three nieces and each one had a big milestone this summer; a sweet sixteen, an eighth grade graduation, and an acting debut in a summer theater program. Plus, we visited for Memorial Day, 4th of July, birthdays, charity events, and more. Needless to say, we spent a lot of time at parties and picnics, and that's where I discovered this super easy Italian pasta salad with pepperoni recipe.
A family friend brought this dish to almost every summer party because everyone kept requesting it. It is THAT good. I made sure to get the recipe last time I saw her because I wanted to bring it to our Labor Day picnic. She sent me the list of the ingredients and said, "That's pretty much it. Just follow the directions on the salad dressing packet, but make sure you use Balsamic vinegar. That's the key."
It looked easy enough, I just wanted to make sure I kept the salad as fresh as possible. That's why I thought the BRILLIANCE Salad & Snack set would be perfect for transport and storage. It's perfectly designed for ready-to-go meals and snacks, like this quick and flavorful Italian pasta salad with pepperoni. The BRILLIANCE Salad & Snack set comes with customizable insert trays and dividers so you can keep your food in separate compartments. That's exactly what I was looking for since I didn't want to arrive with soggy pasta.
This kit includes 2 containers with lids (4.7 cups and 3.2 cups), a toppings tray with dressing container + lid, and 2 half trays. The proportions on this kit are perfect! I'm usually able to pack my lunch in one container and fresh fruit, veggies, or snack mix for my kids in the other when we head to the park or splash pad in the afternoons. Since it's made from ultra-durable Tritan material, it won't stain or absorb odors. Plus, it's BPA free and safe for the microwave, freezer, and dishwasher. The best part is that the outer container is 100% leak-proof, thanks to its airtight latches, and believe me, we've tested it! Seriously, I fear no leak with BRILLIANCE. It's pretty much the perfect food storage solution. The Salad & Snack kit is priced at $22.99 and I think it's worth every penny. Sure, it's may be pricier than your average container, but I'm sold on its sturdy construction and leak-proof features.
Italian pasta salad with pepperoni
Once you've got all your ingredients, it's time to prep! Cook your pasta al-dente and slice your basil into thin ribbons. Normally, I prefer to use mozzarella pearls for this recipe because they're perfectly sized and adorable looking, but our store was out. Thankfully, any kind of fresh mozzarella will work though, so I just cut up the majority of this block into small cubes. As I mentioned earlier, just follow the directions on the salad dressing packet, but substitute Balsamic vinegar for regular vinegar. It really makes all the difference.
See how perfect the BRILLIANCE Salad & Snack set is for this dish?! Every ingredient has its own special place and when it's time to mix you can use the outer containers to toss everything together. You're able to fit quite a bit of pasta (or lettuce) in the larger container, so if you like a lot of dressing you might want to pack another little container with a bit extra.
Once you arrive at your destination, just mix and enjoy! The fresh flavors and the sweet and savory blend of the balsamic vinegar are heavenly.
Not that you'll have much left over, but if you do, you can easily transport it back home in your BRILLIANCE containers without having to worry about leaks.
Italian Pasta Salad With Pepperoni Recipe
Ingredients
- ¾ box of Orecchiette pasta or substitute your favorite kind
- Fresh Mozzarella pearls of cubed fresh mozzarella around 8 ounces or more
- Mini pepperoni I used about ⅓ of the bag
- Grape tomatoes
- Garlic and Herb salad dressing packet
- Olive oil
- Balsamic vinegar
- Several large basil leaves
Instructions
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Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente.
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Cut basil into ribbons.
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Mix dressing according to package directions, but substitute balsamic vinegar for regular vinegar.
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Mix all ingredients together, adding dressing to taste.
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Enjoy!
I even made a little video to show you how insanely easy it is to prep this Italian pasta salad with pepperoni using the BRILLIANCE Lunch containers.
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of BRILLIANCE Lunch by Rubbermaid. All opinions are my own.
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