Pasta Salad with Homemade Dressing

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Ingredients

  • 1 (8 ounce) package uncooked tri-color rotini pasta
  • 6 ounces pepperoni sausage, diced
  • 6 ounces provolone cheese, cubed
  • 1 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 small cucumber, thinly sliced
  • 3/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
  • 3/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
  • 1 (6 ounce) can pitted black olives
  • 1/4 cup minced fresh parsley
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard seed
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

  1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add rotini pasta, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until al dente. Drain, and rinse with cold water.
  2. In a large bowl, mix the cooled pasta, pepperoni, provolone cheese, red onion, cucumber, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, olives, parsley, and Parmesan cheese.
  3. In a jar with a lid, mix the olive oil, vinegar, garlic, basil, oregano, ground mustard, salt, and pepper. Seal jar, and shake well.
  4. Pour the dressing mixture over the pasta salad, and toss to coat. Cover, and chill 8 hours in the refrigerator