Italian Pasta Salad Dressing:

• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup white vinegar (red wine vinegar works too)
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt (see notes)
• 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.

Salad Ingredients:

• 1 pound uncooked pasta (preferably rotini)
• one 10-oz. package cherry tomatoes, halved (2 cups)
• 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese balls, cut in half if needed
• 8 ounces salami, cut into cubes or thin strips (see notes for types)
• 1/2 cup pitted kalamata olives, sliced
• 1 cup sliced pepperoncini
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
• 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped