This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
This loaded and hearty Italian Pasta Salad is so easy to prep and cook, it will become your family’s new favorite! Tasty, fast and filled with so much goodness, it’s ready in just 25 minutes!
If you’re tired of boring old pasta salads, then you’re in the right place. This delicious combo is filled with perfectly matched veggies, parmesan cheese and the delicious Italian Dressing. It’s a perfect side dish or served as a salad on its own.
Italian Pasta Salad
- Fast 15 Min Prep Time
- Easy to Find Ingredients
- Ready in JUST 25 Minutes
I always found salads to be too bland and so not appealing. The same old mayo-based pasta salads have become a thing of the past my friends. We can now invite innovation especially in the kitchen and with it comes this dreamy Italian Pasta Salad that will blow you away!
Ingredient Notes
- Pasta: Any kind of pasta works perfectly for this Italian Salad, such as penne, fusilli, elbow or rotini. They all cook well and incorporate great with the dressing and veggies.
- Vegetables: I’ve combined here bell peppers with cherry tomatoes, red onion, and black olives.
- Cheese: The combo of mozzarella and parmesan make this salad really stand out from the crowd.
- Salami: Cut the salami into 1 inch cubes to have a more hearty texture throughout the salad.
- Dressing: The Italian Dressing I used here is a personal creation that I just love to combine in anything Italian flavored. But you can use a store bought Italian dressing as well.
How to Make Italian Pasta Salad
- Cook pasta: Bring a medium pot of salted water to boil, then add your preferred pasta to the pot. Cook your pasta according to the package directions.
- Combine salad ingredients: Toss all the pasta salad ingredients together, including the dressing.
- Chill and serve: Chill the finished salad for an hour before serving. Serve and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I cook the pasta?
Aim for what is written on the package of your preferred pasta. Make sure to not go over the recommended cooking time to not overcook the pasta.
Can I use other vegetables?
You can definitely play around more with your veggies of choice, adding mushrooms, green olives or sweet peppers is always a good option as well.
Tips
- Make sure you don’t over-cook the pasta. Mushy noodles will break easily as you stir all the ingredients together.
- Rinse the pasta well with cold water after you strain it. This will prevent the noodles from sticking together.
- Make your own Italian Dressing! The flavor is so much better than what you’ll find in a store.
Leftovers
Fridge
Italian Pasta Salad leftovers will last 3-4 days in the fridge. If you need, you can whip up some extra dressing to toss the pasta with when you eat the leftovers in case too much has been absorbed.
Freezer
I wouldn’t recommend freezing this salad! The tomatoes and pasta will fall apart after thawing.
More Great Recipes To Try
Italian Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 1 pound pasta such as penne, elbow, fusilli or rotini
- 1 medium green bell pepper diced
- 1 medium red bell pepper diced
- 1 small red onion diced
- ½ cup black olives sliced
- 8 ounce salami cut in small pieces
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese cut in ½ inch cubes
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes cut in half
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese shredded
- 1 cup Italian dressing
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Cook the pasta according to the package directions.
- Combine salad ingredients: Toss all the pasta salad ingredients together, including the dressing.
- Chill and serve: Chill for an hour before serving.
Tips & Notes:
- Make sure you don’t over-cook the pasta. Mushy noodles will break easily as you stir all the ingredients together.
- Rinse the pasta well with cold water after you strain it. This will prevent the noodles from sticking together.
- Make your own Italian Dressing! The flavor is so much better than what you’ll find in a store.
- Italian Pasta Salad leftovers will last 3-4 days in the fridge. If you need, you can whip up some extra dressing to toss the pasta with when you eat the leftovers in case too much has been absorbed.
