Easy Italian Pasta Salad Recipe

This colorful Easy Italian Pasta Salad is a vibrant blend of tri-color rotini, savory salami, fresh vegetables, and mozzarella pearls, all tossed in a zesty Italian dressing. Perfect for summer picnics, potlucks, or as a refreshing side dish with dinner, this pasta salad comes together in just 20 minutes and can be made ahead for convenience. The combination of textures and flavors creates a satisfying dish that’s both simple to prepare and impressive to serve.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Tri-color rotini pasta: The spirals catch and hold the dressing beautifully, while the different colors add visual appeal to your salad.
• Dry salami: Adds a savory, slightly spicy element that balances the fresh vegetables. Its firm texture stands up well to the dressing without becoming soggy.
• Cherry tomatoes: These little bursts of sweetness and acidity brighten the whole dish. Cutting them in half allows their juices to mingle with the dressing.
• Perlini mozzarella balls: These tiny pearls of fresh mozzarella distribute perfectly throughout the salad, ensuring a bit of creamy cheese in every bite.
• Black olives: Contribute a Mediterranean flavor and satisfying texture contrast. Their slight brininess complements the other ingredients perfectly.
• Yellow bell pepper: Provides a sweet crunch and beautiful color. The mild flavor works wonderfully with the more assertive elements in the salad.
• Red onion: Adds a sharp, pungent flavor that cuts through the richness of the cheese and salami. Dicing it finely distributes that onion bite throughout the dish.
• Italian parsley: Brings a fresh, herbal note that lightens the whole salad. Don’t substitute with curly parsley – Italian flat-leaf has much better flavor!
• Italian dressing: The binding element that brings everything together with its tangy, herbed flavor profile. Quality really matters here, so use a dressing you truly enjoy.
• Salt and pepper: Essential for balancing and enhancing all the flavors in the dish. Season to your preference.

Variations

Want to make this recipe your own? Here are some delicious twists:

• Mediterranean Version: Add chopped artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, and feta cheese instead of mozzarella.
• Protein-Packed Option: Substitute diced grilled chicken for the salami, or use both for an even heartier meal.
• Garden Fresh: Add blanched broccoli florets, diced cucumber, and shredded carrot for extra vegetables and crunch.
• Spicy Kick: Mix in some pepperoncini or diced jalapeños and use a spicy Italian dressing for heat lovers.
• Gluten-Free Alternative: Simply swap the regular pasta for your favorite gluten-free rotini – the rest of the recipe remains delicious and unchanged.

How to Make Easy Italian Pasta Salad

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

Cook the tri-color rotini according to package directions until al dente – this is crucial! No one enjoys mushy pasta salad. Salt your pasta water generously; this is your only chance to season the pasta itself. Once cooked, immediately drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta down.

Step 2: Prep the Add-Ins

While the pasta cooks, prepare all your vegetables and salami. Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the bell pepper and red onion, chop the parsley, and cut the salami into bite-sized pieces. Drain the mozzarella pearls and black olives.

Step 3: Combine and Dress

In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta with all prepared ingredients. Pour the Italian dressing over everything and toss gently but thoroughly to ensure even coating. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 4: Serve or Chill

You can serve the pasta salad immediately, but I find it tastes even better after chilling for at least 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to blend together. If you’re making it ahead, cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

How to Serve

This versatile Italian pasta salad works beautifully in numerous meal contexts:

As a Main Dish

Serve a larger portion with some crusty Italian bread on the side for a satisfying lunch or light dinner. A glass of crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio makes this a perfect summer meal.

As a Side Dish

Pair with grilled chicken, steak, or Italian sausages for a complete dinner. The cool pasta salad provides a refreshing contrast to hot grilled items.

For Gatherings

This salad is perfect for potlucks, picnics, and barbecues – it travels well and doesn’t need to be heated. Serve in a large bowl with serving tongs for easy self-service.

Make Ahead and Storage

Making Ahead

This pasta salad is perfect for making ahead! In fact, preparing it 2-4 hours before serving allows the flavors to develop more fully. If making more than 4 hours ahead, consider following the storage tips below.

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The salad will absorb more dressing as it sits, so you might want to refresh it with a little extra dressing or a squeeze of lemon juice before serving again.

For Travel and Picnics

If packing for camping, road trips, or picnics, keep the dressing and tomatoes separate until just before serving. This prevents the pasta from absorbing too much dressing and the tomatoes from making everything soggy. Store in a well-insulated cooler with ice packs.

Note: Freezing this pasta salad is not recommended as the texture of the pasta and vegetables will become mushy upon thawing.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Easy Italian Pasta Salad has become my go-to recipe whenever I need something quick, dependable, and universally loved. The vibrant colors, contrasting textures, and classic Italian flavors create a dish that’s far more impressive than the minimal effort it requires. Whether you’re rushing to put dinner on the table or bringing a dish to share with friends, this pasta salad delivers satisfaction every time. Give it a try – I’m confident it will earn a permanent spot in your recipe collection!

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