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Italian Pasta Salad Recipe

5 from 57 reviews

A classic Italian Pasta Salad featuring a delightful mix of colorful bell peppers, salami, fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and olives, all tossed with pasta and Italian dressing for a vibrant, flavorful dish perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a refreshing meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 1 pound pasta (such as penne, elbow, fusilli, or rotini)

Vegetables & Cheese

  • 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
  • 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 small red onion, diced
  • ½ cup black olives, sliced
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, cut in ½ inch cubes
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese, shredded

Meat

  • 8 ounces salami, cut into small pieces

Dressing & Seasoning

  • 1 cup Italian dressing
  • Salt & pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta: Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta.
  2. Combine salad ingredients: In a large bowl, toss together the cooked pasta, diced green and red bell peppers, diced red onion, sliced black olives, salami pieces, mozzarella cubes, halved cherry tomatoes, and shredded Parmesan cheese. Add Italian dressing and season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix thoroughly to combine all flavors.
  3. Chill and serve: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least one hour to allow the flavors to meld together. Serve chilled as a refreshing appetizer or side dish.

Notes

  • Use your favorite pasta shape; short pasta like penne, rotini, or elbow works best to hold the dressing.
  • For added freshness, you can include chopped fresh basil or parsley.
  • Adjust the amount of Italian dressing based on your preferred moisture level.
  • Make sure to chill the pasta salad well before serving for the best flavor.
  • Salami can be substituted with pepperoni or omit for a vegetarian option.

Keywords: Italian pasta salad, pasta salad recipe, summer salad, picnic recipes, easy pasta salad, salami pasta salad