Italian Pasta Salad

Last updated on June 26th, 2018 at 08:54 pm

This Italian Pasta Salad is what everyone needs in their go-to recipe arsenal for quick and easy recipes ideal for a potluck, picnic or any other summer get-togethers. It’s healthy, it’s fast, super easy to make, delicious and bursting with flavor.

I love making pasta salads, they really are one of my favorite sides during the summer months. Not only are they delicious, they are really easy to put together.

Even though I love creamy pasta salads, not all pasta salads have to be mayo loaded. Which is why I love a good Italian pasta salad. The dressing is refreshing and loaded with fresh herbs.

While most people only make pasta salads when attending a potluck, picnic or going to some family/friend gathering, I think they are great for a weekday meal. They make a perfect lunch or dinner. Not to mention the leftovers, because you will have lots of leftovers. But don’t worry, this pasta is even better the next day.

TIPS FOR MAKING THE PERFECT ITALIAN PASTA SALAD

• Choose the right pasta and cook it properly. Use bite-size pasta such as penne, rotini, fusilli, farfalle, small shells, or even elbow macaroni. For 1 pound of pasta cook it in 1 gallon of boiling water seasoned with at least 2 tablespoons of salt. Cook it until tender and when it’s done, drain it, but do not rinse it.
• Load it with lots of veggies and salami. You want about 2 pounds of main ingredients. Choose good Italian salami, like Genoa salami and mix it up with both mild and spicy salami. The spicy salami will add a great kick to the pasta salad. Load it up with veggies such as bell peppers, cherry tomatoes and good olives. You could even mix it up a bit by adding veggies like asparagus, or snow peas, even zucchini and broccoli. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try different veggies.
• Load your pasta salad with fresh herbs and onion. Go with lots of fresh herbs, such as parsley, oregano, and basil. While dried herbs work as well, nothing beats fresh herbs. As far as onions go, while I chose red onion, green onions are great as well.
• Dress it up! For all this pasta salad, you’ll need about a cup of dressing. For best results, use a mild white wine vinegar, rice vinegar or lemon juice. I don’t recommend balsamic vinegar as it will turn the pasta brown.

If you try this recipe, please let us know! Leave a comment, rate it and tag a photo #jocooks on Instagram so we can see it. I always love to see what you guys come up with!

5 from 3 votes

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Italian Pasta Salad

Prep Time

15 mins

Cook Time

10 mins

Total Time

25 mins

 

This Italian Pasta Salad is what everyone needs in their go-to recipe arsenal for quick and easy recipes ideal for a potluck, picnic or any other summer get-togethers. It's healthy, it's fast, super easy to make, delicious and bursting with flavor. 

Course: Salad

Cuisine: Italian

Servings: 12

Calories: 512 kcal

Author: Joanna Cismaru

Ingredients

Pasta Salad

• 1 lb pasta such as penne, elbow, fusilli or rotini
• 1 large green bell pepper chopped
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes cut in half or quartered
• 8 oz salami thickly sliced or cut in small pieces
• 8 oz bocconcini mini, or cut in half or quarters if using regular size bocconcini
• 1/2 medium red onion finely chopped
• 8 oz spicy salami thickly sliced or cut in small pieces
• 8 oz Monterey Jack cheese cut in small cubes
• 1/2 cup Kalamata olives sliced

Italian Dressing

• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 2 tbsp parsley fresh, chopped
• 2 tbsp oregano fresh, chopped (or 1 tbsp dried oregano)
• 2 tbsp basil fresh, chopped (or 1 tbsp dried basil)
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 3 tbsp white wine vinegar
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
• 1 tsp pepper or to taste

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. For 1 lb of pasta you will need about 2 gallons of liquid, also make sure to salt your water well, at least 2 tbsp of salt. After you drain the pasta do not rinse it, if anything add a little olive oil to it to prevent it from sticking together.

2. Toss all the pasta salad ingredients together. 

3. In a small bowl or jar add all the dressing together and whisk well. If using a jar, put the lid on and close it, then shake well. You want the dressing to emulsify a little bit, this will ensure the pasta will absorb the dressing.

4. Pour the dressing over the pasta and toss well. Serve at room temperature.

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

Cheese: I used mini bocconcini, but regular mozzarella cut in cubes can be used as well. Another alternative to Monterey Jack cheese could be a marble jack cheese, or a sharp cheddar cheese.

 

Leftovers: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 to 3 days. This salad is even better the next day.

 

Nutrition: This salad will yield about 15 cups, so nutritional information is based on a little over a cup per serving. Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.

 

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