Italian Pasta Salad is packed full of pepperoni, salami, black olives, cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and a creamy homemade Italian dressing. It’s the perfect side dish, tailgate food, light lunch, or picnic item!
Is there any dish more versatile than pasta salad?? You can make it as light or hearty as you’d like, throw in. all the ingredients you love and you’ve got a perfect side dish for any meal! I love this Italian Pasta Salad because it is hearty enough for a great lunch and has a dressing you’ll want to make again and again.
Here’s how to make my Italian Pasta Salad:
- Cook your pasta. You can use whatever shape pasta you prefer. I like either a rotini or a penne – but that’s just me!
- While your pasta is cooking, chop up the other ingredients. I like to cut the pepperoni, salami, and mozzarella into bite size pieces and I cut the tomatoes and black olives in half.
- Place all the basil leaves on top of each other and roll them up together. Start with one end and carefully slice the leaves into strips.
- Next, mix up the delicious dressing. Add 3 tbsp of white wine vinegar, 1 tbsp of mayo, 1 tsp of minced garlic, 1 tsp sugar, 3 tsp of Italian seasoning, and a good pinch of salt and pepper to a small bowl. Slowly whisk in about 1/2 cup of olive oil and then stir in 1/4 cup of freshly grated Pecorino or parmesan cheese.
- When the pasta is done, drain it and add it to a large mixing bowl. Add the pepperoni, tomatoes, black olives, and mozzarella and combine well.
- Slowly add the dressing, tasting every so often until you love the flavor.
Italian Pasta Salad
Italian Pasta Salad is so versatile and SO delicious! It's the perfect side dish for a tailgate, cook out, or picnic.Ingredients
For the pasta salad:
- 1/2 lb pasta of your choice (I prefer rotini or penne)
- 2-3 oz pepperoni, cut into bite size pieces
- 3-4 oz salami, chopped into bite size pieces
- 1 container of cherry tomatoes, cut in half
- black olives, cut in half
- 3-4 oz fresh mozzarella, cut into pieces
- fresh basil
For the Italian dressing:
- 3 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 3 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan or pecorino cheese
- 1/2 cup olive oil
Instructions
- Fill a pot with water and place it over high heat. Add a small handful of kosher salt to the water. Bring to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the box.
- Cut the salamo, pepperoni, and mozzarella into bite size pieces. Cut the tomatoes and black olives in half. Cut the basil into strips or tear into small pieces.
- In a small bowl, combine the first 5 ingredients for the dressing. Slowly whisk in the oil and then stir in the cheese.
- When the pasta is finished cooking, drain it and rinse it with cold water to stop the cooking. Add the pasta to a large bowl. Stir in the chopped ingredients and basil and combine well.
- Slowly add the dressing and stir, tasting as you go. Use as much dressing as you prefer.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
