Italian Pasta Salad Recipe
Jun 14, 2023 Updated Aug 05, 2024
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A zesty Italian pasta salad is one of my absolute favorite summertime sides. There are a zillion ways to make it, but my go-to is the more classic pasta salad with all the Italian flavors–salami, tomatoes, olives, basil, Italian dressing, mozzarella… you get it. What can I say, I love cheese and salami (once a charcuterie girl always a charcuterie girl)! In my recipe I like to add some lettuce, or in this case arugula, for some texture and a fresh bite. It is a salad after all!
For some other summer-y recipes, check out my Bratwurst Board, Seafood Platter, Burger Board, Hot Dog Board, Red, White, and Burrata Board, Stone Fruit Salad, Prosciutto and Melon Skewers, Watermelon Salad, and BBQ Chicken Board, to name a few.
How To Make Italian Pasta Salad Dressing
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Directions
- In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, vinegar, mustard, oregano, salt, and pepper until emulsified. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
How To Make Italian Pasta Salad
- 1 cup cooked rotini pasta, cooled
- 4.5 ounces baby arugula (one package)
- 8 ounces mozzarella pearls
- 4 ounces provolone, cubed
- 6 ounces Salami, sliced
- 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup sliced red onion (about 1/4 onion)
- 7 ounces Kalamata olives, pitted and quartered
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- ½ cup Creamy Italian Dressing
Directions
- In a large bowl, toss the cooled rotini with the olive oil and salt. Add the arugula, mozzarella, provolone, salami, tomatoes, onion, olives, parsley, and basil and toss until evenly distributed.
- Pour on the Creamy Italian Dressing and toss until coated.
What to Put in Italian Pasta Salad
I went with mozzarella, provolone, salami, and kalamata olives, but feel free to tinker! Here are some other Italian ingredients to add to or swap with mine!
- Black olives
- Parmesan
- Bell peppers
- Pepperoncini
- Red pepper flakes
- Roasted red peppers
- Cucumbers
Italian dressing not your thing? Try using a pesto instead!
What to Serve with Italian Pasta Salad
They sky is the limit! Serve this as a side at your backyard BBQ, bring it to a friends summertime potluck, or serve it alongside any meal–bonus points for al fresco dining.
If you’re serving it with a meal, I like to serve it alongside a meat and veg since it’s already got the carbs! Try Italian-marinated grilled chicken, corn on the cob, grilled zucchini, herby salmon, roasted tomatoes, or Italian-flavored kebabs with your favorite meat and veg!
Italian Pasta Salad How-To Video
Other Pasta Salad Flavors
Not into Italian flavors? That’s ok! Try:
Show Me Your Pasta Salad
I hope this post inspires you to make this recipe. Nothing makes me happier than seeing the beautiful sides and spreads you create from my tips. If you make something inspired by this post, please tag me at @ainttooproudtomeg so I can see and share!
And, If you liked this recipe, please rate and review.
Italian Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients
Creamy Italian Dressing
- 3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Italian Pasta Salad
- 1 cup cooked rotini pasta cooled
- 4.5 oz baby arugula
- 8 oz mozzarella pearls
- 4 oz provolone cubed
- 6 oz salami sliced
- 1 pint grape tomatoes halved
- 1/2 cup sliced red onion
- 7 oz Kalamata olives
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- 1/2 cup Creamy Italian Dressing
Instructions
Creamy Italian Dressing
- In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, vinegar, mustard, oregano, salt, and pepper until emulsified. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Italian Pasta Salad
- In a large bowl, toss the cooled rotini with the olive oil and salt. Add the arugula, mozzarella, provolone, salami, tomatoes, onion, olives, parsley, and basil and toss until evenly distributed.
- Pour on the Creamy Italian Dressing and toss until coated.
Photos by Haley Hunt Davis of Salt Worth Creative. Food styling with Ryan Norton.