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Quick Italian Pasta Salad

Quick Italian Pasta Salad That Makes Weeknight Meals a Breeze

Quick Italian Pasta Salad is a delicious and vibrant dish perfect for meal prep and gatherings, ready in just 30 minutes.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Chilling Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Salads
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 320

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 12 ounces Rotini Noodles Substitution: Penne or fusilli can be used if rotini is unavailable.
For the Meats
  • 4 ounces Pepperoni Substitution: Salami can be used in place of pepperoni for a different taste.
  • 4 ounces Salami Substitution: Any cured Italian sausage can work.
For the Veggies
  • 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes Substitution: Grape tomatoes may be used if more convenient.
  • ½ cup Black Olives Note: Use kalamata for a stronger flavor.
  • 1 each Orange Bell Pepper Substitution: Any color bell pepper can be used; red is sweeter, yellow is milder.
  • 1 each Green Bell Pepper Substitution: Skip if desired for less bitterness.
  • ¼ cup Red Onion Substitution: Shallots can be used for milder onion flavor.
  • ½ cup Pepperoncini Substitution: Banana peppers can provide similar heat levels.
For the Cheeses
  • 8 ounces Mozzarella Pearls Note: Diced fresh mozzarella can also work.
  • ¼ cup Grated Parmesan Cheese Note: Freshly grated is preferred.
For the Dressing
  • ½ cup Italian Dressing Make ahead and store; shake before use.

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Mixing Bowl
  • jar with lid
  • Colander
  • plastic wrap

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. In a jar, combine ½ cup of olive oil, ¼ cup of vinegar, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, ¼ cup of grated Parmesan cheese, and your favorite Italian seasonings. Seal the jar tightly and shake vigorously for about 30 seconds until the dressing is emulsified. Refrigerate the dressing for at least 15 minutes.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add 12 ounces of rotini noodles and cook according to package instructions, generally around 9-11 minutes for al dente. When finished, drain the pasta in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop cooking.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled rotini and half of your prepared dressing. Toss gently to coat the pasta evenly in the dressing.
  4. Fold in 4 ounces each of sliced pepperoni and salami, along with 1 cup of halved cherry tomatoes, ½ cup of black olives, diced orange and green bell peppers, ¼ cup of finely chopped red onion, and a handful of sliced pepperoncini. Stir in 8 ounces of mozzarella pearls.
  5. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid, and refrigerate your Quick Italian Pasta Salad for at least 30 minutes. This chilling period allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
  6. Before serving, toss the salad with the remaining dressing to refresh the flavors. Transfer to a serving dish and serve with additional grated Parmesan cheese and freshly chopped parsley if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 12gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 700mgPotassium: 400mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 25IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 10mg

Notes

This pasta salad can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 4 days.

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