Go Back
–+ servings
classic Italian pasta salad pinterest

Classic Italian Pasta Salad

The perfect summer side dish - this refreshing combination of al dente pasta, crisp vegetables, and zesty Italian dressing is simple to prepare, travels well, and tastes even better after the flavors have had time to meld together.
No ratings yet
Print Pin
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Pasta Salad, Italian Pasta Salad, Summer Recipe, Potluck Recipe, Picnic Food
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Chilling Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 310kcal

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Colander
  • Large Mixing Bowl

Ingredients

Pasta Base

  • 1 pound rotini pasta or farfalle, penne, or fusilli

Vegetables & Cheese

  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 cucumber medium, diced
  • 1 red bell pepper chopped
  • 1 yellow bell pepper chopped
  • 1/2 red onion thinly sliced
  • 1 cup black olives sliced
  • 8 ounces fresh mozzarella pearls substitute: diced block mozzarella
  • 4 ounces genoa salami chopped (optional for vegetarian version)

Herbs & Dressing

  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
  • 1 cup Italian dressing homemade or store-bought
  • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add 1 tablespoon salt and the pasta. Cook according to package directions until al dente (typically 8-10 minutes).
  • Drain the pasta in a colander and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Toss occasionally as it cools to prevent sticking. For extra flavor absorption, drizzle 2 tablespoons of Italian dressing over the warm pasta and toss gently.
  • While the pasta cools, prepare all your vegetables. Aim for uniform, bite-sized pieces to ensure balanced flavor in every forkful.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta with all prepared vegetables, olives, mozzarella, and salami if using.
  • Pour Italian dressing over the salad and toss gently until everything is well coated. Add the Parmesan cheese, fresh herbs, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly, ensuring the dressing reaches every component.
  • Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight. Before serving, give it a good toss and adjust seasonings if needed.

Notes

For extra flavor, soak red onion slices in ice water for 10 minutes to reduce their sharpness while maintaining their crisp texture.
Reserve 1/4 cup of the dressing to toss with the salad right before serving to refresh the flavors and texture.
For a vegetarian version, skip the salami and add artichoke hearts for extra flavor and texture.

Nutrition

Calories: 310kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 14g | Sodium: 580mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g
Tried this recipe?FOLLOW ME @Foodideo and PIN this recipe