Easy Italian Pasta Salad Recipe

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You will love this easy Italian pasta salad recipe. It’s made with short pasta, fresh vegetables, mozzarella, herbs, and the best homemade Italian dressing. It’s simple, quick, and makes a good side or main dish. Learn how to make pasta salad in simple steps.

This classic pasta salad is simple and a must-have recipe. It takes just about 10 minutes to make if you have cooked pasta. Add another 8 minutes if you don’t.

I love making salads because they are easy to put together, fresh and quick to make. They are also customizable and you can make it to suit your taste. I have made this vegetarian Italian pasta salad recipe but you can add salami, pepperoni, or even chicken to yours if you wish.

The day I made this cold pasta salad, I ate it with fried eggs and my children had theirs with grilled chicken. It’s a great side dish and can also be served as a main meal.

Whether it’s meat pasta salad or vegetarian, this simple pasta salad is perfect for any time of the day. Lunch, brunch, or dinner, it’s enjoyable and satisfying. It is also one that will shine at summer gatherings, potlucks, picnics, parties, and social gatherings.

I used homemade Italian dressing which I shared the recipe some days ago but you can use store-bought or your favorite salad dressing.

Italian Pasta Salad Recipe

This Italian pasta salad recipe is made with simple ingredients, easy to make, and delicious. It’s so good and the best Italian pasta salad if I do say so myself.

It’s great for when you want to have a no-cook day but still want to have a delicious filling meal.

This zesty Italian pasta salad recipe is customizable. You don’t like olives? then don’t use it. Want more tomatoes? then add more. You see, the beauty of homemade pasta salad is that you’re able to build it to suit your taste.

No special skill is required to make it. It’s simple and foolproof.

Ingredients for Italian Pasta Salad (What to put in pasta salad) 

Detailed ingredient list, quantity, and directions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Pasta– The popular one is rotini but you can use any short pasta. I used fusilli.

Tomatoes – cherry tomatoes or baby plum, salad tomatoes, or any of your choice.

Onion – I like to use red onions but you can use any other type of onion.

Olive– I used black olives.

Mozarella pearls – You can cut mozzarella cheese into small cubes.

Parmesan cheese

Parsley 

Salami – This is used in Italian pasta salad but I did not use it in this recipe as I do not eat it. Feel free to add salami if you wish.

What other ingredients can you add? 

Cucumber

Bell peppers

Pepperoncini

 Sausage 

Pepperoni

Chicken

Dressing for pasta salad

Italian dressing

Mayonaise – You can add some mayo to make it creamy pasta salad.

How to make Italian Pasta Salad

Here are the five easy steps to make Italian pasta salad from scratch.

Boil the pasta

I usually have cooked pasta in the freezer. I cook in batch and freeze for later use in soups and salads. If you have ready cooked pasta, thaw it and if not then boil the pasta to a firm not too soft texture. The easiest way to cook pasta is in the instant pot (Check out my instant pot pasta recipe) but you can also cook it on the stove.

Here’s how to boil pasta on the stove – Add water in a pot and leave to boil then add in pasta, a tablespoon of oil and salt and leave to cook for 8 minutes or till al dente. Take off the stove, drain in a colander, and run under cold water to shock the pasta. Leave to cool while you move on to the next step.

Make the salad dressing

If you haven’t already, quickly make pasta salad dressing. This takes just 5 minutes to make. Here’s the recipe for my homemade Italian dressing.

Cut up the veggies

Cut the tomatoes, chop the onions and parsley, and any other vegetables you want in your homemade salad.

Build the salad

Add pasta into a bowl and add some of the salad dressing then mix.
Next add in the tomatoes, onions, olives, and all other ingredients. Add more Italian salad dressing and mix to combine with the salad.

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Want creamy Italian pasta salad? Add a tablespoon of mayonnaise.

Chill in the fridge for cold pasta salad

Put the salad in the fridge to chill for at least an hour before serving as it tastes better when cold.

Serve and enjoy. 

Serve Italian Pasta Salad with

Instant pot chicken thighs, bbq chicken, burgers.

Some summer drinks to go with it are strawberry lemonade and instant pot fruit infused water.

How to store

Have leftover pasta salad or you making ahead of time? The good news is Italian pasta salad stores well in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Cover the salad bowl with clingfilm so it doesn’t absorb other food odor in the fridge.

When ready to eat, bring out, taste, and add more dressing if need be. Serve it cold or at room temperature.

Tips

• Cut the vegetables to roughly the same size.

• You can use any short pasta. Rotini, penne, fusilli, or any of your favorite.

• Don’t overcook the pasta and allow it to cool before adding in the other ingredients.

• You can make this pasta salad ahead and store it in the fridge. It tastes better the next day. 

• If you store in the fridge, taste before serving, and if need be add more dressing, pepper, or salt.

Tools you’ll need

Salad bowl or any mixing bowl.

Colander- To drain and shock the pasta.

Chopping board- For cutting up the vegetables

FAQ

What is the best pasta for pasta salad

Any short pasta like rotini, fusilli, penne, farfalle, rigatoni, maccheroni.

How early can I make pasta salad?

You can make it up to 3 days ahead and store it in the fridge. It tastes better the next day as the flavors have had time to combine.

Can I make Italian pasta salad with chicken?

Absolutely. The beauty of making a homemade salad is that you can add whatever you want. Build it to suit your taste.

More quick recipes on the blog

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Homemade bbq sauce

Sauteed Vegetables

How to cook chicken breast on stove.

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