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This Easy Italian Pasta Salad is loaded with tender pasta, crisp vegetables, savory salami, mozzarella cheese, and zesty Italian dressing for the ultimate summer side dish. It’s simple to make, full of fresh flavor, and perfect for cookouts, potlucks, meal prep, and weekday lunches!
For more reader favorite pasta salad recipes, try my classic Easy Pasta Salad Recipe or this creamy Macaroni Salad.
Why you’ll love this pasta salad with Italian dressing!
A lot of pasta salad recipes are pretty simple in the ingredient department, pairing pasta with a creamy dressing and maybe an add-in or two. Italian pasta salad is different, though—it’s absolutely packed with veggies, meats, and cheeses! (Or try this Deviled Egg Macaroni Pasta Salad, which is packed egg hard-boiled eggs!)
Italian pasta salad is a dish typically made with cooked pasta, black olives, peppers, tomatoes, red onions, meats like salami or pepperoni, and mozzarella or Parmesan cheese. It’s then tossed with zesty Italian dressing before serving. This type of cold pasta salad is also sometimes referred to as an antipasto salad because it’s made with a lot of the same ingredients that appear on an antipasto platter!
- Loaded with flavor: Every bite is packed with pasta, fresh veggies, cheese, herbs, and zesty Italian dressing.
- Perfect for parties: This pasta salad is easy to double or triple for cookouts, picnics, and potlucks.
- Great make-ahead recipe: The flavors get even better after chilling in the fridge.
- Easy to customize: Swap the veggies, cheese, or meats based on what you love most. (This Summer Pasta Salad is customizable too.)
Table of Contents
Ingredient Notes
See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
- Dried rotini pasta – You can use another shape of pasta if you prefer!
- Hard salami – Adds savory flavor and makes the pasta salad extra hearty.
- Cherry tomatoes – Grape tomatoes or diced Roma tomatoes are fine too.
- Black olives – Use canned black olives or kalamata olives for a stronger flavor. (Kalamata olives are one of my summer pantry staples because they pair so well with tomatoes!)
- Red onion – Adds crunch and pungent flavor.
- Bell pepper – Use a combination of green bell pepper and red bell pepper to match the colors of the Italian flag!
- Small mozzarella balls – If you can’t find these, you can use bite-sized cubed or shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Grated Parmesan cheese – Adds salty, nutty flavor.
- Fresh parsley and basil – Brighten the entire pasta salad.
- Italian dressing – Use store-bought or homemade Italian dressing.
- Salt & black pepper – Red pepper flakes can be used, too, if you want a little heat in your salad.
Variations
- Make it vegetarian – Leave out the salami and add extra veggies.
- Extra veggies – Add cucumbers, broccoli, artichoke hearts, or roasted red peppers.
- Spicy version – Add crushed red pepper flakes or spicy pepperoncini peppers.
- Cheese swap – Use feta cheese, provolone, or cubed cheddar instead of mozzarella.
- Different pasta – Bowtie pasta, penne, or shells all work perfectly.
How to Make Italian Pasta Salad
- Cook the pasta: Boil the pasta until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to cool completely.
- Prep the ingredients: Chop the vegetables, salami, herbs, and cheese into bite-sized pieces.
- Combine everything: Add the pasta, veggies, salami, cheese, and herbs to a large bowl.
- Add the dressing: Pour the Italian dressing over the salad and toss until everything is evenly coated.
How to Store Leftovers
If you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge. Italian pasta salad will keep for 3 to 4 days. When you’re ready to eat it again, give it a good stir to coat all the ingredients in the dressing. You can also add more herbs or vegetables to freshen it up before serving!
Frequently Asked Questions
Italian pasta salad is a popular dish that can be made in a variety of ways. The most basic recipe includes cooked pasta, olives, cherry tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella cheese, but there are so many options from here—some recipes toss the salad in olive oil and red wine vinegar, others are loaded with raw vegetables like broccoli, cucumber, and sliced celery, while still others are made with sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, and artichoke hearts.
This recipe isn’t ideal for freezing; while technically speaking, you can freeze it, the texture won’t be as good once it’s thawed.
You can make Italian pasta salad the night before, but there are a few things to keep in mind. First, cook the pasta slightly less than you would for regular pasta salad. This will help prevent it from getting mushy when it sits in the dressing. Second, add a little extra olive oil to the salad. This will help keep the pasta from sticking together overnight. Next, consider adding some additional fresh vegetables and herbs just before serving. This will brighten up the color and make sure the texture is on point!
Yes, Italian pasta salad is best served chilled or at room temperature.
More Pasta Salad Recipes You’ll Love
Pasta
Bow Tie Pasta Salad
Soups and Salads
Tortellini Pasta Salad
Soups and Salads
Dill Pickle Pasta Salad
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Easy Italian Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 16 oz dried rotini pasta cooked and cooled
- 10 oz hard salami diced
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes halved
- ½ cup black olives sliced
- ½ cup red onion diced
- 2 cups bell pepper diced
- 8 oz fresh small mozzarella balls
- 2 oz parmesan cheese grated
- ½ cup parsley chopped
- ½ cup basil chopped
- 1 cup Italian dressing
- salt & black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a large mixing bowl and gently mix to combine. Season with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper. (Add more dressing if needed)
- Can serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.
Video
Notes
- Cook the pasta just to al dente so it doesn’t become mushy.
- Toss the pasta with dressing while it’s slightly warm so it absorbs more flavor.
- Chill the salad before serving for the best texture and flavor.
- Add extra dressing right before serving if the pasta absorbs too much overnight.
- Cut all the ingredients into similar-sized pieces for the best texture.
Hey Girl, thank you! This was a hit at our congregation get-together at the park today! Had a large empty bowl to take home.😋 Had to add a few different ingredients, like feta, and spicy olives and real Crab meat, instead of salami. But honey, you gave me the foundation. And thanks to my sister for finding it and sending it to me.😉 (Tammy)
Why can’t I save this to Pintrest?
Hmm it’s working on our end. Have you trying refreshing your browser and clearing your cookies? 🙂
Made this today was absolutely great !! Think next time mix in pepperoni!