Zesty Italian Pasta Salad Recipe


This web site could comprise affiliate hyperlinks and promoting in order that we will present recipes to you. Learn my disclosure coverage.

Indulge within the flavors of Italy with this irresistible Italian pasta salad. Every chunk is bursting with taste from cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, salami, olives, and contemporary herbs topped with zesty Italian dressing. It’s like a style of sunny Italy!

If you wish to deliver extra worldwide aptitude to your desk, try these different recipes from across the globe; Mexican pasta salad, Asian Ramen salad, or this Greek tzatziki pasta salad.

Overhead shot of a large bowl of Italian pasta salad with wooden spoon sticking outOverhead shot of a large bowl of Italian pasta salad with wooden spoon sticking out

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Fast and Straightforward: This Italian pasta salad recipe comes collectively shortly and simply. All elements are able to go, you simply want to cut, slice, cube, and mix!
  • Versatile: I really like how versatile this recipe is. You’ll be able to omit or add objects in keeping with your preferences!
  • Nice for Entertaining: This recipe is ideal for feeding a crowd! It’s hearty and bursting with flavors that each younger and previous get pleasure from!

Italian Pasta Salad Recipe

I really like making this recipe once I want one thing fast and simple, particularly once I must feed a gaggle. To begin with, having the pasta as a base makes this hearty and filling. There’s something for everybody to get pleasure from!

Moreover, any store-bought Italian dressing works to decorate this salad, nevertheless I really like utilizing my copycat Olive Backyard Salad Dressing or Straightforward Italian Dressing. It provides authenticity, however my company at all times know the salad was made with love!

What Components Do I Must Make Italian Pasta Salad?

As talked about above, this recipe is nice as a result of you’ll be able to customise it to fit your tastes. I really like the contemporary herbs, crunchy greens, al dente pasta, and salty cheeses. For precise measurements of every merchandise, see the recipe card under.

  • Rotini Pasta: Is the bottom for the salad and absorbs the dressing.
  • Salami: Provides a savory taste and chewy texture.
  • Small Pepperonis: Introduces a spicy style and meaty texture.
  • Black Olives: Gives saltiness with a agency texture.
  • Inexperienced Bell Pepper: Affords a contemporary, crisp texture and delicate sweetness.
  • Crimson Onion: Provides a pop of colour, sharp taste, and crunch.
  • Grape Tomatoes: Contributes a candy, tangy taste and pop of colour.
  • Recent Parsley: Brings a wonderful inexperienced colour and herby taste.
  • Recent Basil: Provides a sweet-peppery taste that enhances the general freshness.
  • Shredded Parmesan Cheese: Gives a salty, nutty style and gritty texture that enhances the pasta.
  • Recent Mozzarella: Affords a creamy delicate taste and comfortable texture.
  • Italian Dressing: This ties all of the elements along with its tangy-sweet taste and provides moisture to reinforce the consistency of the salad.
Overhead shot of all of the ingredients in glass bowls and individually labeled. Overhead shot of all of the ingredients in glass bowls and individually labeled.

How do I Make Italian Pasta Salad?

Though the listing of elements could appear lengthy, they’re all able to go—you’ll simply want to cut, slice, or cube them!

  1. Add all of the elements to a big bowl and toss collectively till all the pieces is properly blended and coated within the dressing.
  2. Serve instantly or cowl and serve inside 24 hours.

Ideas and Substitution Concepts

To make sure your Italian pasta salad seems the way you need it, observe the following tips under.

  • Pasta Variations: Use your favourite type of pasta! I like the form of rotini, however any bite-size pasta form will work properly. You’ll be able to even use brown rice or chickpea pasta to make this salad gluten-free. 
  • Al Dente: Cook dinner your noodles simply till they’re al dente! If you happen to overcook your pasta, it’s going to get mushy and break aside once you stir all of the elements collectively.
  • Absorption: Pasta salad tends to soak up liquid because it sits, so maintain that in thoughts in case you are making the pasta salad upfront. If I put together the pasta salad the night time earlier than, I like to order about ¼ of the bottle of dressing to toss with the pasta salad proper earlier than I serve it. 
  • Customizable: You’ll be able to simply customise the elements by including various veggies or cheeses or omitting those you don’t like.

Side view of large bowl with pasta salad ingredients in piles. Someone is pouring Italian dressing into the bowl. Side view of large bowl with pasta salad ingredients in piles. Someone is pouring Italian dressing into the bowl.

How one can Retailer Leftover Pasta Salad

Whether or not you put together this pasta forward of time or get pleasure from it as leftovers, the noodles will take in among the sauce. You’ll want to have a little bit additional sauce readily available so as to add proper earlier than serving.

**Be aware that the salami and pepperoni could lose a little bit of their colour after 2 days or so, however that doesn’t imply they’ve gone dangerous.**

Close up shot of pasta salad with  rotini noodles, tomatoes, bits of red onion, olives, salami, green pepper and cheese. Close up shot of pasta salad with  rotini noodles, tomatoes, bits of red onion, olives, salami, green pepper and cheese.

Extra Concepts for Comparable Dishes

Pin this now to seek out it later

Pin It

  • Add all of the elements to a big bowl and toss collectively till all the pieces is properly blended and coated within the dressing.

  • Serve instantly or cowl and serve inside 24 hours.

Energy: 393kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 14gFats: 21gSaturated Fats: 6gPolyunsaturated Fats: 5gMonounsaturated Fats: 8gTrans Fats: 0.2gLdl cholesterol: 29mgSodium: 994mgPotassium: 320mgFiber: 2gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 571IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 124mgIron: 1mg

Vitamin info is mechanically calculated, so ought to solely be used as an approximation.



Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *