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The Best Italian Pasta Salad

June 4, 2022 By Jessica Leave a Comment

This classic Italian Pasta Salad is sure to wow at your next summer gathering. It’s a picnic or potluck must, packed to the brim with everyone’s antipasto faves. 

Italian Pasta Salad

This side dish has ALL the goodies… and I mean all of them. Italian meats, cheeses, a slew of crunchy veggies, and herbs for days. Oh, and the swirly rotini pasta snuggles tight to my homemade tangy Italian dressing. Some other summer sides that you might enjoy include my Super Refreshing Watermelon Salad with Feta, these On-The-Go Charcuterie Boards in a Jar, and this tasty Creole Red Potato Salad.

Italian Pasta Salad

INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED FOR THIS ITALIAN PASTA SALAD:

FOR THE PASTA SALAD:

  • Rotini Pasta
  • Chopped Romaine
  • Jarred Roasted Red Peppers
  • Garbanzo Beans
  • Pepperoni
  • Provolone Cheese
  • Pepperoncini Peppers
  • Red Onion
  • Cherry Tomatoes
  • Fresh Mozzarella Pearls
  • Artichoke Hearts
  • Sliced Black Olives
  • Genoa Salami
  • Fresh Basil

FOR THE ITALIAN DRESSING:

  • Lemon
  • Olive Oil
  • Shallot
  • Italian Seasoning
  • Sugar
  • Salt 
  • Pepper

Italian Pasta Salad

HOW TO MAKE THIS ITALIAN PASTA SALAD:

  1. Cook rotini according to package directions. 
  2. While pasta is boiling, chop and mix the remaining pasta salad ingredients and set aside. 
  3. Combine the Italian dressing ingredients and whisk until emulsified. 
  4. Drain cooked pasta and allow to cool. Mix rotini with the chopped pasta salad ingredients. Stir in Italian dressing until everything is throughly coated. 
  5. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight in an airtight container. 

OTHER RECIPES YOU MIGHT ENJOY:

Super Creamy Italian Salad Dressing

BLT Pasta Salad with Fresh Herb Dressing

Italian BLT Sandwich with Sun Dried Tomato Mayo 

Tomato Bruschetta With Pesto, Blue Cheese, and Hot Honey

Super Easy Blistered Tomatoes for Any Occasion

Air Fried Arancini Balls With Roasted Red Pepper Sauce 

CLICK HERE TO BROWSE ALL RECIPES

Italian Pasta Salad

The Best Italian Pasta Salad
 
Print
Prep time
15 mins
Cook time
15 mins
Total time
30 mins
 
This classic Italian Pasta Salad is sure to wow at your next summer gathering. It's a picnic or potluck must, packed to the brim with everyone's antipasto faves.
Serves: 10
Ingredients
FOR THE SALAD:
  • 16 oz. Rotini Pasta Noodles
  • 2 cups Chopped Romaine
  • 3 tbsp. Jarred Roasted Red Peppers
  • ½ cup Garbanzo Beans
  • ½ cup Pepperoni, sliced in half
  • 6 oz. Provolone Cheese, diced into cubes
  • ¼ cup Pepperoncini Peppers, drained
  • ¼ small Red Onion, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup Cherry Tomatoes, cut in half
  • 4 oz. Fresh Mozzarella Pearls, drained
  • ½ cup Artichoke Hearts, drained and chopped
  • 2.25 oz. Sliced Black Olives, drained
  • 8 oz. Genoa Salami, cut into cubes
  • Fresh Basil, as needed
FOR THE DRESSING:
  • ½ Lemon, juiced
  • ¼ cup Olive Oil
  • ½ - 1 shallot, finely chopped
  • Pinch of Salt, season to preference
  • Pinch of Sugar, add as needed to balance acidity
  • 1 tbsp. Dried Italian Seasoning
Instructions
  1. Cook rotini according to package directions.
  2. While pasta is boiling, chop and mix the remaining pasta salad ingredients and set aside.
  3. Combine the Italian dressing ingredients and whisk until emulsified.
  4. Drain cooked pasta and allow to cool. Mix rotini with the chopped pasta salad ingredients. Stir in Italian dressing until everything is throughly coated.
  5. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight in an airtight container.
3.5.3251
 

NOTES ON THIS RECIPE:

  • If you’re short on time, you can easily sub in your favorite store bought Italian dressing for the homemade one. 
  • Turn this into a Greek Pasta Salad with a few quick swaps – use feta and halloumi in place of the mozzarella and provolone, leave out the Italian meats, and grab some Greek salad dressing to top it with. 
  • Trying to keep your meal low carb? Leave out the rotini and eat this dish as a tasty and light Antipasto Salad instead!

Italian Pasta Salad


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Italian Pasta Salad

Filed Under: Appetizers & Sides, Beef & Pork, Pasta

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