Get ready for your taste buds to dance with this simple and flavorful Italian pasta salad recipe. Perfect for summer picnics or as a side dish for any meal!
Full of veggies, delicious pasta noodles and fresh mozzarella then drizzled with an Italian pasta salad dressing, it's the perfect side for any occasion.
I love a good Caprese salad, this recipe reminds me of that. Great mozzarella, ripe tomatoes and basil... zesty and fun.
Jump to:
- What makes this recipes so yummy
- Groceries you'll need: Ingredients
- Recipe walkthrough: Instructions
- Recipe variations and substitute ideas
- Recipe Troubleshooting
- Necessary gear: Equipment
- More Pasta Salad recipes I think you'll love
- How to store leftovers
- Mel's kitchen notes
- Melanie Cagle
- Italian Pasta Salad
- 💬 Comments
What makes this recipes so yummy
I feel like I've been making pasta salad recipes for decades. Since I can remember... I love playing around with the ingredients as it can be so versatile. The dressing is one of the most important factors in a pasta salad.
Groceries you'll need: Ingredients
See recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities.
Recipe walkthrough: Instructions
This is an overview of the recipe steps. For more detailed instructions visit the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Step 1: Cook pasta and drain and rinse under cold water. Add to a large salad bowl with the other salad ingredients.
- Step 2: Add the Dressing ingredients to a smaller bowl and mix well with a small whisk or a fork.
- Step 3: Pour all over the salad then toss with salad utensils.
- Step 4: Cover and refrigerate for about 2 hours.
Hint: Resting the pasta salad in the refrigerator for a couple of hours will really help the flavors come together to give the best tasting salad ever.
Recipe variations and substitute ideas
- Pasta - instead of bowtie noodles (farfalle) you can use any variation (penne, fusilli, etc).
- Red Wine Vinegar - instead of lemon juice.
- Feta Cheese - instead of mozzarella, or provolone cheese.
- Red Pepper Flakes - to infuse a little heat.
- Protein - add a protein, like salmon, or steak.
- Green Olives - instead of black.
- Italian Dressing - use the storebought, if you are short on time and have a favorite.
Recipe Troubleshooting
- Overcooking your Pasta - this should be avoided at all costs. The pasta will end up too mushy and will not hold together when tossing. It's important to shock the pasta (run under cold water) to stop the cooking process as well as rinse some of the starch.
Sharing is Caring - Like Our Facebook Page
Necessary gear: Equipment
The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
You'll only need a pot to cook the pasta, a large salad bowl and utensils for tossing/ serving the salad.
I have some affiliate links in the recipe card below if you want to know more.
More Pasta Salad recipes I think you'll love
How to store leftovers
Once the pasta salad has been served and you have some leftovers, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
It is not recommended to freeze this pasta salad.
Mel's kitchen notes
When seasoning a pasta salad, it's best to do so at the end and right before serving. Taste first.
About The Author
Melanie Cagle
Melanie is a professional cook, food photographer and Cajun food connoisseur. Since 2020 she has been sharing rigorously tested recipes and tutorials right here on this blog.
Her work has been featured on Fox News channels, Yahoo news, Southern Living and more.
If you’ve tried this Italian Pasta Salad Recipe or any other great recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section below, how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers!
If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
You can also follow me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes!
Viral Recipe Alert!
Banana Bread
Due to the secret ingredient in this deliciously moist banana bread it has become one of my most sought after recipes!
Italian Pasta Salad
Video
Equipment
- 1 4.5 Quart Pot
Ingredients
- 1 Pound Bowtie Pasta Cooked, rinsed and cooled
- ½ Pound Salami chopped
- 2 Cups Cherry Tomatoes Chopped
- 6 Ounces Sliced Black Olives
- 1 Each Red Bell Pepper deseeded and chopped
- 1 Each Yellow Bell Pepper deseeded and chopped
- ½ Each Red Onion chopped
- 8 Ounces Mozzarella Pearls
- ½ Cup Parmesan Cheese freshly grated
- ¼ Cup Fresh Parsley chopped
- ¼ Cup Fresh Basil chopped
Italian Dressing
- ¾ Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 3 teaspoons Lemon Juice freshly squeezed
- 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
- 3 teaspoons Honey
- 2 Cloves Garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- ¼ Cup Water
- ¼ Cup Bell Peppers finely diced
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the box, to al dente then rinse under cold water.1 Pound Bowtie Pasta
- Chop the salami, tomatoes, olives, bell peppers, red onion, parsley and basil and add the mozzarella and parmesan cheese.½ Pound Salami, 2 Cups Cherry Tomatoes, 6 Ounces Sliced Black Olives, 1 Each Red Bell Pepper, 1 Each Yellow Bell Pepper, ½ Each Red Onion, 8 Ounces Mozzarella Pearls, ½ Cup Parmesan Cheese, ¼ Cup Fresh Parsley, ¼ Cup Fresh Basil
- Add to a large salad bowl and mix together using salad utensils.
- In a smaller bowl add the dressing ingredients and stir well with a small whisk or fork.¾ Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 3 teaspoons Lemon Juice, 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard, 3 teaspoons Honey, 2 Cloves Garlic, 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning, ¼ Cup Water, ¼ Cup Bell Peppers, ½ teaspoon Salt, ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
- Pour over the salad ingredients and toss well with the utensils.
- Cover the Italian Pasta Salad with some plastic wrap and allow to marinate in the refrigerator for 2 hours, it will really allow the flavors to come together.
Notes
Nutrition
Sign Up for my emails and never miss another recipe!
I'll never share your email, or send you spam. Pinkie Promise!
Comments
No Comments