Patriotic Italian Pasta Salad with Protein+ Stars

1 Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
2 In a small bowl or mason jar, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, honey, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until well combined.
3 In a large serving bowl, combine the cooled pasta, tomatoes, mozzarella, salami, cucumber, red onion, pepperoncini, and basil.
4 Pour about ¾ of the dressing over the pasta salad and toss well to combine.
5 Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
6 Just before serving, toss with the remaining dressing to freshen everything up and add extra flavor.
7 Garnish with additional fresh basil and mozzarella stars if desired.