The Vibe:
This is the legendary side dish everyone begs me to bring to the BBQ! 🍖 Think of it as a loaded Italian sub, but in a bowl. The secret move? Whisking mayo into the Italian dressing for a luxuriously creamy finish.
The Goods:
1 box: Rotini Pasta (cooked & cooled)
1 cup: Italian Dressing (Olive Garden brand is elite!)
1/2 cup: Mayonnaise (the creaminess factor)
1 cup: Ham (cubed)
1 cup: Pepperoni (mini or chopped)
1 block: Colby Jack Cheese (cubed)
1 can: Sliced Black Olives
1/2: Red Onion (diced)
1 cup: Cherry Tomatoes (halved)
1/2 cup: Banana Peppers (optional, for a zing!)
Optional: Chopped Iceberg Lettuce
The Playbook:
Boil: Cook pasta per the box instructions. Rinse thoroughly with cold water to stop the cooking process.
Chop: While that’s boiling, prep your meats, cheeses, and veggies into uniform, bite-sized pieces.
The Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk the Italian Dressing and Mayonnaise until perfectly smooth and emulsified.
Combine: In a massive mixing bowl, dump the cold pasta along with your meats, cheese, and veggies.
Toss: Drizzle the creamy dressing over the top and toss until every noodle is coated.
Chill: Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving so those bold flavors can marry!
Pro tip: Make a double batch, because this disappears FAST.
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