Italian Pasta Salad

Quick and easy Italian Pasta Salad recipe is the perfect pasta salad. It’s our go-to for potlucks, picnics and gatherings. Loaded with tender pasta, salami, fresh vegetables, cheese and tossed in an Italian Dressing.

It’s always the first salad gone whenever we bring it to a gathering! It’s one of my favorite salad recipes because everyone loves it and it’s the perfect make-ahead recipe – it tastes even better when made ahead!

Why You Should Make Zesty Italian Pasta Salad

• “Zesty” is definitely the best way to describe this pasta salad recipe! It’s made with Italian dressing loaded with flavor plus dried Italian seasonings to give it an extra kick. There’s nothing bland or boring about it!
• Combine that dressing with a variety of veggies, pasta, cheese and you get a salad that is practically a meal in itself.
• This is such an easy recipe – just boil the pasta, drain, and toss it with all the other ingredients. The recipe can be adjusted, too, so be sure to check out our recommended substitutions. There a few ways to twist it up!
• There’s a lot of delicious flavors going on in this salad and it all works – it will be the hit at your next potluck, BBQ, or summer party!
• Did we mention you can make it ahead of time! Actually, it’s better when the flavors meld for a little bit. This makes it perfect for entertaining or taking to someone’s house.

What goes in pasta salad with Italian dressing

• Tri-colored rotini pasta -Or you can use other short pasta shapes like penne, cavatappi, bowties, orecchiette or gemelli. Or just plain Rotini works too!
• Chopped salami – Or try diced pepperoni, diced ham, or a combination!
• Zesty Italian Dressing – Prepared dressing makes it so easy!
• Cubed mozzarella cheese – You can use low-moisture mozzarella or try fresh mozzarella cut into bite-sized pieces.
• Halved grape tomatoes – Or try diced Roma tomatoes.
• Sliced black olives – Green olives work, too!
• Diced bell peppers – I like red, green, and orange bell peppers but you can use any combination of colors that you like.
• Diced red onion – Or diced white onion.
• Shredded Parmesan cheese – I love parm, but shredded Romano or Asiago cheese also are good in this salad.
• Dried Italian seasoning – There’s really no substitute for this!

How to Make Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing

1. Boil and drain the pasta.
2. 2. Place the pasta in a large bowl and add all of the other ingredients. Toss to combine.
3. 3. Chill the salad for at least two hours before serving it.

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Absolutely! While tri-color rotini adds a fun and colorful twist to the salad, you can use any pasta you have on hand. Penne, fusilli, or farfalle would all work great.

What other dressings can I use?

This salad is quite versatile when it comes to dressings. If you don’t have Italian dressing, you could use a simple vinaigrette, Greek dressing, or even a creamy Caesar or ranch dressing. Just remember, the dressing can significantly change the flavor profile of the salad.

Can I add other vegetables to this salad?

Of course! Feel free to add any veggies you like. Some great additions could be cucumbers, artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, or even some fresh spinach or arugula.

Can I make this salad vegan or vegetarian?

Yes, you can. For a vegetarian version, simply omit the salami. For a vegan version, you would also need to skip the cheeses or replace them with vegan alternatives. You could add more veggies or some beans for extra protein.

How long can I store this salad in the fridge?

This Italian pasta salad will keep for up to five days in the refrigerator in an airtight container. It will dry out as it chills, so be sure to keep some extra dressing handy in case in needs extra.

When I make it ahead, I leave some dressing out and, once I’m ready to serve it, I add it then so the salad tastes like it was just made.

What Do You Eat With Pasta Salad?

This is a great side dish for so many summer dishes. Here are a few we love to have with it!

• We love it with some BBQ Ribs!
• It’s a great side dish for hot dogs and hamburgers.
• You can’t go wrong with some BBQ chicken breasts as a main dish!
• We also love it with some chicken legs or thighs.
• Pair it with some grilled kabobs!

Ready for the best Italian pasta salad ever? I know that’s what everyone will say when you share this easy side dish this summer. The flavors are perfect!

More Pasta Salad Recipes

• Pesto Pasta Salad is another Italian-inspired recipe. It’s packed with fresh veggies and a delicious pesto sauce.
• Crab Pasta Salad is an classic side dish you will love!
• Greek Pasta Salad has a creamy dressing and fresh veggies – it’s always a hit!
• Spaghetti Salad is a super easy pasta salad that goes well with any meal.