Classic Italian Pasta Salad is the perfect summertime side dish. Whether you are feeding a crowd or just serving your family, this easy pasta salad is a winner. This delicious, make-ahead friendly, pasta salad is light, refreshing and great served alongside your favorite grilled foods or by itself as a light lunch.
In the summer, I try to transition my cooking to quick, easy and anything that I can make ahead. I like to make dishes that can be served cold or take little time to cook. When it is over 100° F outside, the last thing I want to do is stand in front of the stove cooking in the evening when it is the hottest. I also try to keep oven use to a minimum to help keep the house cooler. That is where this delicious pasta salad comes into play. I usually make it first thing in the morning and then pop it in the fridge until dinner.
My favorite part of this recipe is that there are always leftovers. It’s hard to make a small pasta salad, which means leftovers are imminent. No worries though, because this pasta salad is so much better the next day, after all the flavors have had time to marry. I promise, the best Italian Pasta Salad lunches are in your future!
More Summertime Dishes
Each of these Summertime dishes are make-ahead friendly.
Ingredients for Classic Italian Pasta Salad
One thing you will find with this recipe, and most pasta salad recipes, is that it is easily customizable. If you don’t have an ingredient, or don’t like some of the ingredients, change them to make it your own. I like to think of recipes as guidelines. Very rarely do I follow them to a T.
- Rotini Pasta– I like to use rotini because the spirals hold onto the dressing really well. Any type of pasta (preferably short pastas) will work if you do not have rotini.
- Cucumbers– Any type will work. Depending on the thickness of the skin, peeling or partially peeling the cucumbers may be necessary. I like to use a thin-skinned cucumber that I grow in my garden called “Muncher”.
- Red Onion– Red onion has a nice kick to it and makes for a nice pop of color in the salad. If you prefer a milder onion flavor, use a sweet onion or omit the onion altogether.
- Sweet Banana Peppers– I love using sweet banana peppers in this pasta salad. Like most of the vegetables in this recipe, I have banana peppers growing in my garden during the summer, which is when I typically make this pasta salad. If you do not have banana peppers, bell peppers or any sweet pepper will work just fine.
- Cherry Tomatoes– Any type of tomato, even large slicing tomatoes, will work for this recipe.
- Black Olives– The briny flavor of olives goes perfectly with the dressing in this salad. I also like to use green olives in this salad.
- Salami– Thinly sliced salami goes really well in this salad. Salami brings great flavor and protein to the salad.
- Mozzarella & Parmesan Cheese– I like to use Fresh mozzarella Pearls and freshly shredded Parmesan Cheese.
- Fresh Parsley & Fresh Basil– For flavor and color.
Every home should be growing a kitchen garden right outside their backdoor. A kitchen garden is meant to be separate from the rest of your garden spaces. It is grown close to your kitchen for convenience. Walking a few steps out the backdoor and into the kitchen garden to harvest fresh produce and herbs for cooking is quite rewarding.
Ingredients for Italian Dressing
This Italian Dressing is so easy to make and is absolutely delicious! You’ll want to make extra to keep in your fridge for salads.
- Olive Oil– For the best flavor use a good quality olive oil.
- Red Wine Vinegar
- Water
- Lemon Juice
- Honey– Sugar can be substituted.
- Red Pepper Flakes– (optional) There are not enough to make the dressing spicy, just enough for flavor.
- Garlic Powder
- Dried Oregano
- Dried Basil
- Salt & Pepper
Can I make Classic Italian Pasta Salad the day before?
Absolutely! In fact, Italian Pasta Salad is best served the next day. The flavors have time to marry overnight giving the pasta salad the best flavor the next day. If you are wanting to serve the pasta salad the day you make it, I recommend making it first thing in the morning so that it has time to sit before serving.
Looking for more pasta dishes? My family loves this Italian Chicken Spaghetti recipe served with garlic bread. Or try the BEST and easiest Beef Stroganoff recipe. My oldest son claims Beef Stroganoff to be his favorite!
Can I make Classic Italian Pasta Salad with storebought Italian Dressing?
Yes, you can. While I prefer the flavor of the homemade dressing in this recipe, storebought Italian Dressing will work just fine. I would recommend tossing in a few fresh herbs like basil and parsley to brighten up the dressing.
How long is Classic Italian Pasta Salad good for?
I have found that Italian Pasta Salad will last up to 5 days in the refrigerator when stored in an airtight container. It is best to stir the salad before serving if it has been sitting for a while.
Customizing Classic Italian Pasta Salad
I love making pasta salads because they are so easy to make and equally easy to customize. I like to use whatever I have on hand, or in most cases, what I have coming in from the garden that needs to be used.
- No salami? Use sliced pepperonis or chicken.
- Use your favorite bottled or homemade Italian Dressing.
- Fresh or pickled peppers work great in this pasta salad. A few I like to use are pickled pepperoncinis, bell peppers or even pickled banana peppers.
- Broccoli is a great addition to this pasta salad.
- Cauliflower works well too!
- Roasted summer squash (zucchini and yellow squash) is fantastic in pasta salads.
- Shredded mozzarella is a great substitute for the mozzarella pearls.
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Classic Italian Pasta Salad
Classic Italian Pasta Salad is the perfect summertime side dish. Whether you are feeding a crowd or just serving your family, this easy pasta salad is a winner. This delicious, make-ahead friendly, pasta salad is light, refreshing and great served alongside your favorite grilled foods or by itself as a light lunch.
Ingredients
Pasta Salad
Italian Dressing
Instructions
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In a large bowl combine the pasta, cucumbers, onions, banana peppers, tomatoes, olives and salami. Toss to combine.
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Now add in the mozzarella, parmesan, fresh herbs, salt and pepper. Toss to fully combine.
Italian Dressing
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Combine all of the Italian Dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Whisk to fully combine.
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Dress the salad.
Pour the dressing over the pasta salad, stir to fully combine. Cover and refrigerate for several hours before serving. Right before serving, give the pasta salad another stir to evenly distribute the dressing and serve. Enjoy!
