This vibrant Italian pasta salad is a perfect make-ahead dish that comes together in just 25 minutes of hands-on time. Packed with Mediterranean flavors and colorful ingredients, each serving delivers a satisfying blend of textures and a wholesome 23g of protein.
The beauty lies in its simplicity – prep it quickly, let it chill for an hour, and you’ll have a crowd-pleasing dish that’s ideal for potlucks, picnics, or easy weeknight dinners.
Fresh Italian Pasta Salad Ingredients
- Pasta Base: 1 pound rotini pasta – perfect for holding the dressing
- Cheese Blend: 8 oz mozzarella pearls, ½ cup parmesan – adds creamy texture
- Protein: 8 oz salami or pepperoni – brings savory depth
- Fresh Vegetables: Cherry tomatoes, red onion, black olives – for color and crunch
- Garnish: Fresh parsley, pepperoncinis (optional) – adds fresh flavor
- Homemade Dressing: Olive oil, red wine vinegar, herbs and seasonings
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing: Mix olive oil, vinegar, herbs, and seasonings until well combined. Store in refrigerator.
- Cook the Pasta: Boil rotini according to package directions, then rinse with cold water until cool.
- Initial Toss: In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta with half the dressing to prevent sticking.
- Add Mix-ins: Incorporate cheese, meats, vegetables, and remaining dressing.
- Chill & Serve: Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to blend perfectly.
Make-Ahead Tips
This pasta salad gets even better when the flavors have time to mingle! You can make it up to a day before your event – just hold back a bit of the dressing. Add the reserved dressing right before serving to keep everything fresh and flavorful. The homemade Italian dressing can be made up to 2 weeks ahead and stored in a jar in your fridge.
Easy Substitutions
Feel free to switch things up based on what you have! Try bow-tie or penne pasta instead of rotini. Not a fan of black olives? Green olives work great too.
You can swap the mozzarella pearls for cubed mozzarella, or try cubed provolone for a sharper taste. Any cured meat works well – mix and match pepperoni, salami, or summer sausage based on your preferences.
Serving Ideas
This colorful Italian pasta salad is perfect for picnics and potlucks! Serve it cold alongside grilled chicken or burgers for a complete summer meal. For a lovely presentation, sprinkle extra fresh parsley and parmesan on top just before serving. Want to make it a meal on its own? Add some chickpeas or chopped grilled chicken for extra protein.
Storage and Leftovers
Keep your pasta salad fresh by storing it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. If it seems a bit dry after sitting, just add a splash of olive oil and give it a gentle toss. The pasta will soak up the dressing over time, so having extra dressing on hand is always helpful!
Italian Pasta Salad
Equipment
- Large Bowl
Ingredients
For the Pasta Salad
- 1 pound rotini pasta uncooked
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese pearls or chopped into pieces if you can’t find pearls
For the Italian Salad Dressing
- 3/4 cup olive oil
Instructions
- Make the salad dressing by combining all ingredients. Store the dressing in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Shake before using.
- Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain water and rinse pasta with cold water. Allow it to cool for at least 10 minutes.
- Add pasta to a large bowl and pour half of the salad dressing over it. Toss to combine.
- Add remaining ingredients and dressing and toss everything to combine.
- Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or longer, before serving. Store in the fridge for up to 4-5 days.
