Italian Pasta Salad is a vibrant, refreshing dish that brings together the best of Italian flavors in one colorful bowl. Tender rotini pasta, smoky salami, juicy tomatoes, crisp vegetables, and two kinds of cheese are tossed in a zesty homemade Italian dressing. Perfect for summer gatherings, picnics, potlucks, or a light dinner at home.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Just 25 minutes from start to finish.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Flavors get even better after chilling.
- Customizable: Swap in your favorite veggies or proteins.
- Perfect for a Crowd: Serves about 6 people generously.
Ingredients
- 16 oz dry rotini pasta
- 10 oz hard salami, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 3 cups grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 can black olives, sliced
- 2 cups chopped bell peppers (any color)
- 1/2 cup chopped red onion
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella pearls
- 3 oz grated parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley and basil, chopped (for garnish)
Homemade Italian Dressing
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rotini and cook until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Drain and spread the pasta out on a baking sheet to cool.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, mustard, honey, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper until fully combined.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chopped salami, grape tomatoes, black olives, bell peppers, red onion, mozzarella pearls, and grated parmesan cheese.
- Toss with Dressing: Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients. Gently toss everything together until evenly coated.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley and basil. Serve immediately or refrigerate for 1 hour to allow flavors to meld.
Tips and Variations
- For extra crunch, add sliced radishes, cucumbers, or diced celery.
- Make it vegetarian by omitting the salami and adding marinated artichokes or chickpeas.
- This salad can be prepared up to 1 day ahead—just reserve a little dressing to refresh before serving.
Recipe Summary
Servings: 6
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Course: Salad
Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
Calories: 350 calories
Carbohydrates: 27 g
Protein: 12 g
Fat: 22 g
Saturated Fat: 6 g
Cholesterol: 30 mg
Sodium: 500 mg
Fiber: 4 g
Sugar: 3 g
Keywords
Italian Pasta Salad, rotini pasta salad, cold pasta salad, summer pasta salad recipe, easy Italian salad, make ahead pasta salad, potluck pasta salad