Italian Pasta Salad
This amazing Italian Pasta Salad is full of meat and cheese, featuring plump pasta and zesty Italian seasoning enhanced with parmesan. Red onion, pepperoncini, black olives, and an abundance of fresh vegetables complete this flavorful dish.
One of my sister Jenny’s favorite things to eat is a pasta salad. She’s always the first to go for the pasta salad bar, going from the Pesto Pasta Salad all the way over to the Italian Pasta Salad.
I think there’s just something about the combination of perfectly cooked pasta plus fresh veggies plus delicious cheeses and add-ins that has her going back for more.
So here’s to Jenny and all of you fellow Pasta Salad lovers out there! I know you’ll just love every single bit of this recipe, from the zesty and flavorful homemade Italian dressing to the bevy of fresh, crisp veggies and tomatoes, two types of cheese, and the deliciousness saltiness of salami, black olives, and pepperoncini!
Italian Pasta Salad Ingredients
- Rotini pasta – or choose any bite-sized pasta you like, such as penne, macaroni, etc.
- Italian Dressing – You can use my Homemade Italian Dressing, or your favorite store-bought kind for ease.
- Veggies – I’ve developed this recipe so you can use your favorite crisp, fresh vegetables. If you prefer, you can use red and green bell peppers like I have.
- Cherry tomatoes
- Mozzarella pearls
- Salami – or any of your favorite salty deli meats
- Black olives + pepperoncini – I love this duo for an added flavor of zing and saltiness!
- Red onion
- Fresh parsley – I highly recommend fresh over dried parsley for the brightness of flavor
- Parmesan cheese – use freshly grated cheese if you’d like, but the store-bought kind if fine too!
How to make Italian Pasta Salad
It’s easier than you think to make pasta salad with Italian Dressing. Start by cooking your favorite pasta according to the package instructions. Then, toss with oil to prevent sticking and spread out onto a lined baking sheet to cool.
Next, grab a large mixing bowl and add all of the ingredients except the Italian Dressing.
Drizzle all of the pasta salad with italian dressing, then toss to coat. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Chill in the refrigerator for about 2 hours, then serve and enjoy the best Italian Pasta Salad!
What to Serve With Italian Pasta Salad
- Be sure to try my homemade Italian Dressing recipe if you can when making this Italian Pasta Salad. It’s the right amount of zesty, bright, and flavor-packed to complement the blend of fresh veggies, meats, and cheeses!
- Pastas: try any of these delicious pastas – Easy Baked Manicotti Recipe with Cheese, Garlic Butter Pasta, Tomato Basil Pasta, Pesto Pasta.
- Breads: easy Garlic Toast or my favorite Roasted Garlic Bread. Both also taste amazing with a drizzle of homemade Balsamic Glaze.
- Italian-themed night: serve with an Aperol Spritz cocktail or a Salty Dog Drink which tastily complements the savory factor in this salad!
- For dessert… another salad! Try this sweetly creamy Grape Salad — it’s so good, we couldn’t stop eating it.
Storing Notes
You can make this pasta salad with Italian dressing ahead of time! Simply make as instructed, then cover and chill in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. I actually like this pasta salad even better the next day, as the flavors have amplified overnight.
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Italian Pasta Salad
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 15–30 servings (about 16 cups) 1x
Description
This amazing Italian Pasta Salad is full of meat and cheese, featuring plump pasta and zesty Italian dressing enhanced with parmesan. Red onion, pepperoncini, black olives, and an abundance of fresh vegetables complete this flavorful dish.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. rotini pasta, uncooked
- 2 cups fresh diced or bite-sized vegetables of choice (blanched broccoli, bell peppers, etc.) – I used red and green bell peppers
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 8 oz. mozzarella pearls or halved mozzarella balls
- 8 oz. salami, chopped
- 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
- 1/2 cup pepperoncini, sliced
- 1/2 cup red onion, sliced
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, optional
- 1 batch homemade Italian dressing or 1 1/2 cups store-bought, use less dressing if desired
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and toss with a few dashes of oil to prevent sticking. Transfer to a large, parchment paper-lined baking sheet to cool, about 10 minutes.
- In a large mixing bowl, add pasta and remaining ingredients except for the Italian dressing.
- Drizzle with dressing, using less if desired. Toss to coat, adding more as needed. I used the full amount. If needed, add salt and pepper to taste.
- Cover and chill in the refrigerator about 1-2 hours before serving. Keeps for 2-3 days in the fridge. Enjoy!
Notes
Tip: This salad tastes best 1 day later—it allows the flavors to meld and deepen deliciously.
Tip: If you find that the pasta salad is not moist enough the next day or two, go ahead and add ¼ cup to ½ cup dressing until you reach your desired consistency. Toss to coat.
Storing Instructions: Store Italian pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days maximum.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Pasta, Main Dishes, Salads
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Italian
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Such a delicious and filling recipe! This was a hit at our family dinner.
Woohoo! So glad the fam liked it!
This is the pasta salad of my dreams! I ate an embarrassingly large amount of it, but it’s just so good.
LOL well Erik and I did the exact same thing the last time we made it, so no shame here! 😂
Refreshing and colorful pasta salad recipe. Perfect for the weather. Thanks for sharing.
You’re so welcome, Kushi!
This is so refreshing and flavorful! One of the best side dishes for a BBQ!
Oh absolutely! There’s nothing like a BBQ with some homemade pasta salad! 😄
This recipe was a huge hit at a pre-July 4 BBQ this past weekend and is a definite keeper. My kids asked if I can bring it to an event we are going to this coming weekend! Great recipe.
I’m so glad to hear it, Lisa! ☺️ If it’s got the approval of the little ones, then I know it’s a hit. 😊