Foryoueats: The Best Easy Pasta Salad

Ingredients

• Pasta Salad Essentials:
• 1 pound uncooked pasta
• 3 cups cherry tomatoes, cut in half
• 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese balls, cut in half
• 1 lb. salami or summer sausage, cut into cubes
• 3/4 cup kalamata olives, sliced
• 3/4 cup pepperoncini (optional, but do it)
• 1/2 cup sliced red onion
• 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• Italian Pasta Salad Dressing:
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup white vinegar (white vinegar or red wine vinegar work)
• 1/4 cup water
• 1–2 tablespoons coarse sea salt (yes, tablespoons – see notes section!)
• 2 cloves garlic (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 teaspoons each dry oregano and dry basil
• black pepper to taste
• fresh herbs if you want! sometimes I add fresh parsley, basil, or chives.