Pepperoni Cold Pasta Salad
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Posted: 07/15/19
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Pepperoni Cold Pasta Salad recipe is an easy cold pasta salad with Italian dressing, pepperoni, 2 cheeses, and fresh vegetables. Cold Pasta Salad with Pepperoni is perfect for a large crowd, potlucks, and summer BBQ’s!
Cold Pasta Salads are my go-to dish for potlucks because it seems like everyone loves them and you can make them ahead of time! A few of them include this easy Greek Pasta Salad or the traditional Macaroni Salad that seems to be a hit with young and old!
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The BEST Cold Pasta Salad!
This happens to be one of my favorite cold pasta salads! I remember it was always at every picnic, BBQ, potluck (basically at every function) and it was always one of the firsts to go! As a kid, I would pick out the peppers and onions but I love it all now! In fact, I usually add more peppers and onions to my plate. Pepperoni pasta salad is basically summer on a plate!
Need some more summer dish ideas? Try these: Broccoli Salad, Grilled Corn Salad with Tomato and Avocado, Easy Fruit Salad, and Homemade Chicken Salad.
Pepperoni Pasta Salad
This pasta salad with pepperoni is pretty easy to put together. I know the ingredient list seems a little long for a salad but trust me, it’s nothing hard. I chop my veggies while the pasta is cooking and I am always done before the pasta is. I’m also using a store bought Italian salad dressing to keep things simple. Just use your favorite brand 🙂 .
And speaking of keeping things simple I have been on a quest to find simple activities to keep my kiddos sane this summer. It has been so hot this summer and they have very limited time outside before the temperature soars to the upper 90s. So far I have exhausted everything I’ve came up with and I need all the ideas so please feel free to let me know of any simple kid activities you have tried or came across!
They don’t get very excited when I bring out the crayons, play-doh or ask them to clean up anymore! I’m not sure they ever get excited about that last one!
Tips for making Cold Pasta Salad with Pepperoni!
- Pepperoni pasta salad tastes best when it is made in advance. I like to make it a day in advance. Leftovers store well and will last for 5-7 days in the refrigerator.
- If you have some leftover rotisserie chicken it goes great in this salad!
- I like to use fresh mozzarella pearls (mostly because I’m lazy and it’s one last thing I have to chop) but feel free to cube regular mozzarella to use instead.
- If you can’t stand the thought of the pepperoncini in this salad feel free to leave them out. I happen to love adding them to salads and it goes really well with this salad!
- Use any short type of pasta that you like or have on hand. Macaroni, penne, bow tie, and fusilli are all great choices.
- Don’t overcook your pasta because it will become a mushy pasta salad due to the acids from the dressing breaking down the starches further.
- Be sure to rinse the pasta under cold water to stop the cooking and cool the pasta down. Don’t toss the hot pasta in with the other ingredients or it will melt the cheese.
- Toss the pasta in Olive Oil after rinsing to prevent the pasta from soaking up the dressing if you prepare it a day before.
So if you are in need of a pasta salad that is FULL of flavor, easy to make, and feeds a crowd this Cold Pasta Salad with Pepperoni is what you need!! Trust me your people will not be disappointed!
More Cold Pasta Salad Recipes!
- Bruschetta Caprese Pasta Salad
- Cashew Chicken Rotini Salad
- Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
- Chicken Pasta Salad
- The BEST Creamy Pasta Salad
What goes with Cold Pasta Salad?
- Honey Garlic Chicken Drumsticks
- Chicken Pineapple Kabobs
- Garlic Baked Pork Chops
- BBQ Chicken Kabobs
- Cheesy Meatloaf
WATCH THE STEP BY STEP VIDEO FOR THIS PEPPERONI COLD PASTA SALAD RECIPE BELOW:
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Pepperoni Cold Pasta Salad Recipe
This Pepperoni Cold Pasta Salad is an easy cold pasta salad with Italian dressing, pepperoni, 2 cheeses, and fresh vegetables. It’s perfect for a large crowd, potlucks, and summer BBQ’s!
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Ingredients
- 1 pound small pasta (any shape such as fusilli, penne, macaroni, bow tie)
- 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 ounces fresh mozzarella pearls (or cubed regular mozzarella)
- 3 ounces sliced pepperoni
- 2 large Roma tomatoes, chopped
- 1/2 large green bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup sliced black olives
- 1/2 cup sliced red onion
- 1/3 cup sliced pepperoncini
- 3/4-1 cup Italian salad dressing
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water until pasta is cool.
- Meanwhile, combine cheeses, pepperoni, tomatoes, bell pepper, olives, onion, pepperoncini, and salad dressing in a large bowl.
- When pasta is cool drain well and add to bowl with pepperoni and vegetables. Toss to combine. Refrigerate covered for a minimum of 1 hour but up to 24 hours.
Video
Nutrition Information
Calories: 330kcal (17%), Carbohydrates: 38g (13%), Protein: 13g (26%), Fat: 13g (20%), Saturated Fat: 4g (25%), Cholesterol: 19mg (6%), Sodium: 556mg (24%), Potassium: 211mg (6%), Fiber: 2g (8%), Sugar: 4g (4%), Vitamin A: 235IU (5%), Vitamin C: 10.5mg (13%), Calcium: 144mg (14%), Iron: 1mg (6%)
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Diana says
Can’t see the recipe because the ad is in the way!
Heidi says
What a beautiful dish!! I used penne pasta and substituted the tomato with zucchini; I can’t wait to try this for dinner tonight with flattened, crunchy chicken thighs and corn on the cob, Yummy!! Thanks for the great recipe!
Julie says
You’re welcome! I’m glad you loved it!
Jenny says
Made this last night for dinner. It was fantastic! My boyfriend loved it too. Very lite & flavorful. Leftovers will not got to waste on this one! Thank you for the recipe!
Julie says
You’re welcome! So happy you loved it!
Liz says
I needed a pasta salad for a weekend gathering and tried your version. I got so many requests for the recipe—it was delightfully delicious!
Julie Evink says
So glad you enjoyed it!
Ashley F says
This was perfect when we wanted something light and refreshing for dinner!
Julie Evink says
Perfect for the hot summer months!
Malinda Linnebur says
I love cold pasta salads, they are my weakness!!
Julie Evink says
Ditto to that!
Melissa Howell says
I could eat this salad for days on end! And like you, I used to pick out the onions when I was a kid, but now I love them! The more, the better!
Julie Evink says
I think that’s totally normal with kids 😉
Danielle Green says
This is a great side dish to serve with dinner, eat alone from lunch or bring to a picnic!
Julie Evink says
For sure! So versatile!