Italian Vegetarian Pasta Salad with Mediterranean Flavors

Ingredients

• 14 oz short pasta (fusilli, penne, or farfalle)
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 small cucumber, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
• ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
• ½ cup kalamata olives, pitted and halved
• ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes, sliced
• ⅓ cup fresh basil leaves, torn
• 5 oz fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini), halved
• ⅓ cup grated Parmesan (optional)
• ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste