Name: Italian Pasta Salad Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 lb rotini pasta; 1 cup chopped salami; 1/2 cup sliced pepperoni; 1 cup mozzarella pearls; 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced; 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved; 1 cup sliced olives (black or green); 1 cup diced bell peppers (red, yellow, orange); 1/2 cup sliced pepperoncini; Fresh parsley and basil for garnish; Olive oil; Red wine vinegar; Fresh lemon juice; Grated Parmesan cheese; Fresh parsley and basil; Garlic powder; Onion powder; Dried oregano; Paprika; Salt and pepper; Pinch of sugar

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Let me guess: you’re hunting for the perfect Italian pasta salad that checks all the boxes. Quick to make? Yep. Full of flavor? Oh, absolutely. Make-ahead friendly and great for potlucks, BBQs, or just meal-prepping for the week? You bet. This isn’t just any pasta salad. This is the Italian pasta salad you’ll come back to again and again.

Whether you’re hosting a weekend get-together, packing a picnic, or just tired of the same ol’ sandwiches for lunch, this cold pasta salad is about to become your new go-to. It’s loaded with rotini pasta, tangy Italian dressing, crisp veggies, mozzarella pearls, and slices of salami and pepperoni. Everything you want in a crowd-pleasing salad that tastes even better the next day.

Italian pasta salad with rotini, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, olives, and bell peppers in a white bowl.

Why You’ll Love This Italian Pasta Salad
Choosing the Best Pasta for Pasta Salad
Homemade Italian Dressing for Pasta Salad
Ingredients for the Ultimate Italian Pasta Salad
Substitutions and Variations
Common Mistakes to Avoid with Pasta Salad
How to Serve Italian Pasta Salad
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Time and Skill Level
Step-by-Step Instructions
Related recipes
Final Thoughts

Why You’ll Love This Italian Pasta Salad

Here’s the thing you need to know about this Italian pasta salad: it’s not just tasty, it’s ridiculously easy and flexible.

Fast and fuss-free: You can whip it up in under 30 minutes. It’s one of the easiest summer pasta recipes you can make.
Packed with bold flavor: Thanks to that zesty homemade Italian dressing and all those colorful veggies and meats.
Feeds a crowd: Perfect for summer gatherings, this pasta salad for potlucks is a total hit.
Meal prep friendly: It stores like a dream. In fact, it tastes even better after it chills overnight.
Antipasto vibes: It’s basically an Italian antipasto salad but with pasta, and that makes everything better.

Choosing the Best Pasta for Pasta Salad

Not all pasta is created equal when it comes to pasta salad. The best pasta for pasta salad is something short and textured, so it grabs onto that tangy dressing and doesn’t fall apart in the fridge.

Our top pick? Rotini pasta. Those little spirals are built to trap dressing, cheese, and chopped goodies in every bite. You can also use penne, bowtie, or fusilli. Just make sure you cook it al dente. That means firm to the bite, so it holds up during mixing and chilling.

Homemade Italian Dressing for Pasta Salad

Let’s talk dressing. You could use store-bought Italian dressing, but making it at home takes this Italian pasta salad from good to unforgettable.

How to Make Italian Dressing

Here’s what you’ll need:

Olive oil
Red wine vinegar
Fresh lemon juice
Grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh parsley and basil
Garlic powder, onion powder
Dried oregano, paprika, salt, pepper
A pinch of sugar to balance it out

Just whisk or shake it all up in a jar. It’s tangy, garlicky, herby, and way more flavorful than anything you’ll find at the store. Plus, it’s totally oil-based, making it ideal for those who prefer a vinaigrette pasta salad over a creamy one.

Ingredients for the Ultimate Italian Pasta Salad

You know what makes this pasta salad stand out? The sheer flavor punch from the ingredients.

For the Pasta Salad:

1 lb rotini pasta
1 cup chopped salami
1/2 cup sliced pepperoni
1 cup mozzarella pearls
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup sliced olives (black or green)
1 cup diced bell peppers (red, yellow, orange)
1/2 cup sliced pepperoncini
Fresh parsley and basil for garnish

For the Dressing:

(See “How to Make Italian Dressing” above.)

This combo gives you that bold, briny, zesty, creamy, crunchy thing that Italian-style summer salads are all about.

Substitutions and Variations

Don’t have every single ingredient? No problem. This Italian pasta salad is super forgiving.

Gluten-free: Swap in your favorite gluten-free pasta for a gluten-free Italian salad.
Vegetarian: Leave out the meats, add chickpeas or grilled zucchini.
Cheese options: Sub in feta or provolone for a twist.
Protein boost: Add grilled chicken or try it with shrimp like our Italian Shrimp Recipe – Shrimp Capri.
Different vinaigrette: Love balsamic? Use it instead and compare it with our Balsamic Steak Gorgonzola Salad.

Common Mistakes to Avoid with Pasta Salad

It’s easy to mess up a pasta salad if you’re not careful. Here are some rookie moves to avoid:

Overcooked pasta: No one wants mushy noodles. Cook just until al dente.
Dressing hot pasta: Wait until the pasta has cooled slightly or the oil will separate.
Not saving extra dressing: Pasta absorbs dressing over time. Keep some to freshen it up later.
Adding cheese too early: Mozzarella pearls get soggy if they sit in vinaigrette too long.

How to Serve Italian Pasta Salad

You can serve this as a main or a side, cold or room temp. It’s versatile and plays well with just about anything.

Great Pairings:

And honestly, this makes one of the best side dish ideas for BBQs, or a full-on Italian picnic food spread.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

This Italian pasta salad is built for prepping in advance.

Make-ahead: You can prep this 1–2 days in advance. Just leave out the cheese and herbs until the day-of.
Storage: Keeps well in the fridge for up to 4 days. Store in an airtight container.
Pro tip: Add a splash of dressing before serving to freshen it up.

Time and Skill Level

Prep time: 15–20 minutes
Cook time: 10–15 minutes
Total time: About 30 minutes
Skill level: Easy

Seriously, you could teach your teenager to make this. It’s that foolproof.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cook the pasta

Boil rotini pasta until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking.

2. Make the dressing

Whisk together all ingredients or shake in a jar until combined.

3. Toss with half the dressing

Once pasta is cool, toss with half of the Italian dressing to coat.

4. Add the good stuff

Mix in meats, cheese, olives, tomatoes, onions, peppers, pepperoncini.

5. Chill

Cover and chill for at least 1 hour (or up to 2 days).

6. Finish and serve

Before serving, toss with remaining dressing and fresh herbs. Taste and adjust seasoning.

If this recipe was your jam, you might love:

Italian Shrimp Recipe – Shrimp Capri – seafood lovers, this one’s for you.
Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad – another flavor-packed pasta salad.
Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad – a creamy, spicy twist.
Elote Pasta Salad – a summery mash-up of Mexican and pasta flavors.
Marry Me Chicken Pasta – for a creamy pasta main that wows.
Balsamic Steak Gorgonzola Salad – bold flavors and grilled goodness.

Colorful Italian pasta salad with rotini, mozzarella, tomatoes, olives, salami, and herbs featured in a vibrant recipe pin.

Collage of Italian pasta salad bowls with rotini, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, olives, red onions, and salami, perfect for summer recipes.

Final Thoughts

This Italian pasta salad is more than just a side dish. It’s a total vibe. Everyone wants the recipe after the first bite. Whether it’s for a weeknight dinner or a weekend get-together, this pasta salad has you covered.

Give it a try and see for yourself. Share it with your people, leave a comment, and keep coming back to VirileRecipes for more food that feels like home.

Italian Pasta Salad Recipe

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Why You’ll Love This Italian Pasta Salad

Choosing the Best Pasta for Pasta Salad