Antipasto Pasta Salad

My sister asked me to make a pasta salad that my 4 year old niece would like, so I came up with this.  Everyone, including my niece loved it and I think you will love it too!

For the Dressing:
1 .07 oz Pouch of  Good Seasons Italian Salad Dressing Mix
1/4 c Red Wine Vinegar
3 Tbsp Water
1/2 c Extra Virgin Olive Oil




For the Salad:
8 oz Fusilli Pasta
1 1/2 c Fresh Green Beans - Cut in 1 Inch Pieces
1 6 oz can Large Black Pitted Olives - Drained
1 8 oz can Quartered Artichoke Hearts - Drained
3/4 c Orange Bell Pepper - Diced         
1 c Grape Tomatoes - Halved
4 oz Salami - Sliced and Diced
2 oz Pepperoni - Sliced and Diced
4 oz Smoked Mozzarella - Cubed
1/4 c Grated Parmesan Cheese - Plus Extra to Top
2 Tbsp Fresh Basil - Chopped
Kosher Salt
Fresh Ground Pepper

In a seal tight container, combine the ingredients for the dressing; Italian dressing mix, red wine vinegar, water and extra virgin olive oil.  Shake well to combine all the ingredients.  Set the container aside.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil.  Season the water with a couple big pinches of salt and add the pasta.  Bring the water back up to a boil.  Reduce to a hard simmer and let the pasta cook for about 8 minutes or until al dente.  During the last minute or so of cooking add the green beans.  Drain the pasta and green beans and rinse immediately with ice cold water until the pasta and beans are cool to the touch.

Transfer the pasta and green beans to a large bowl.  Add about half the dressing mixture and stir to combine it with the pasta.  Add the olives, artichoke hearts, bell pepper, salami, pepperoni, smoked mozzarella, parmesan cheese, fresh basil and a few grind of pepper.  Stir to combine it all.  If need be add a bit more of the salad dressing, the pasta salad should be moist, not drenched in dressing.  Taste to see if any additional salt or pepper is needed.  Cover and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least an hour before serving.

When ready to serve give the salad another good toss and top with an additional sprinkle of parmesan cheese.

Serves 6 - 8 people as a yummy side.

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