A vibrant, flavor-packed pasta salad loaded with crunchy vegetables, savory meats, and fresh mozzarella—all tossed in tangy homemade Italian dressing—perfect for picnics, potlucks, or easy meals.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Bold, tangy flavor: Homemade Italian dressing gives this salad a zesty and balanced zing.
  • Tons of texture: Soft pasta meets crisp bell peppers, juicy tomatoes, and chewy pepperoni and salami.
  • Make-ahead convenience: Assembles easily in advance and improves after chilling.
  • Customizable and crowd-pleasing: Add or omit ingredients to suit dietary preferences or availability.

Zesty Italian Pasta Salad

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

  • 1 lb rotini pasta
  • ¾ cup quartered pepperoni (about 3.5–4 oz)
  • ¾ cup quartered sliced salami (about 4 oz)
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup black olives, drained and halved
  • 1 orange bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • ½ cup finely diced red onion
  • 2 tablespoons chopped pepperoncini
  • 8 oz fresh mozzarella pearls
  • Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley for garnish
  • Homemade Italian dressing (see instructions)

Directions

  1. Prepare the dressing: Make your homemade Italian dressing according to the linked recipe. Refrigerate, then shake well before use.
  2. Cook the pasta: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rotini until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.
  3. Dress the pasta: Pour half of the dressing over the warm pasta and toss to coat evenly—this helps the flavors soak in.
  4. Add mix-ins: To the dressed pasta, add pepperoni, salami, cherry tomatoes, black olives, bell peppers, red onion, pepperoncini, and mozzarella pearls. Toss gently until well combined.
  5. Chill: Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes (up to 24 hours) to allow flavors to meld. Keep remaining dressing refrigerated.
  6. Serve: Just before serving, toss with the remaining dressing. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan and chopped parsley.

Servings and timing

  • Servings: Serves 8–10 as a side
  • Prep time: 15 minutes
  • Cook time: 10 minutes
  • Chill time: 30–60 minutes (up to 24 hours)
  • Total time: About 1 hour (mostly hands-off)

Variations

  • Make it vegetarian: Omit pepperoni and salami; add artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, or chickpeas.
  • Spicy twist: Use hot salami, pickled jalapeños, or swap pepperoncini for banana peppers.
  • Greener version: Replace one bell pepper with diced cucumber or zucchini for extra freshness.
  • Cheese swap: Try crumbled feta or cubed provolone instead of mozzarella pearls.
  • Pasta alternatives: Use farfalle, fusilli, or a gluten-free rotini for dietary needs.

Storage/Reheating

  • Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
  • Texture tip: If it seems dry after chilling, add a bit more dressing before serving. The pasta will absorb some flavor over time.
  • Make-ahead tip: Assemble the salad (minus the dressing) the day before, refrigerate, then toss with dressing and chill before serving for freshest texture.

Zesty Italian Pasta Salad

FAQs

1. Can I use store-bought dressing instead?

Yes, use your favorite Italian-style vinaigrette—but homemade offers the best flavor control.

2. Does the salad get soggy after chilling?

Only if overdressed. Toss again with dressing before serving and store leftovers without excess liquid to preserve texture.

3. What’s the best way to serve at gatherings?

Keep the remaining dressing on the side for guests to add more if desired. Garnish just before serving to keep it bright.

4. Can I prep the ingredients ahead of time?

Absolutely—chop vegetables and slice meats a day in advance, storing separately. Add to pasta and dressing when ready to serve.

5. How do I prevent pasta from sticking?

Drizzle a little olive oil over drained pasta before mixing with dressing to avoid clumping.

6. Is this salad gluten-free?

Use gluten-free rotini or pasta to make it gluten-free while keeping the same flavors.

7. Can I make this dairy-free?

Yes—omit Parmesan garnish and use dairy-free mozzarella or skip cheese altogether.

8. What if I don’t like pepperoni?

Replace with cubes of smoked turkey or prosciutto, or leave it out and add more veggies.

9. Can I double the recipe?

Yes, scale ingredients accordingly and use a larger mixing bowl. Keeps well for crowd service.

10. Best temperature to serve?

Serve cold or slightly chilled. Let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving for best flavors.

Conclusion

This Zesty Italian Pasta Salad is a colorful, flavorful, and crowd-pleasing dish that’s easy to make ahead and perfect for any occasion. With its balanced mix of savory meats, crisp veggies, cheesy pearls, and tangy dressing, it’s sunshine in a bowl. Whip it up for your next gathering or weeknight meal—you’ll be glad you did!

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Zesty Italian Pasta Salad

Zesty Italian Pasta Salad


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  • Author: Ezabella
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 8–10 servings
  • Diet: Low Calorie

Description

A colorful, make-ahead pasta salad tossed with crunchy veggies, savory Italian meats, fresh mozzarella, and a tangy homemade Italian dressing—perfect for picnics or potlucks.


Ingredients

1 lb rotini pasta

¾ cup quartered pepperoni (3.54 oz)

¾ cup quartered salami (4 oz)

1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved

1 cup black olives, drained and halved

1 orange bell pepper, chopped

1 green bell pepper, chopped

½ cup finely diced red onion

2 tbsp chopped pepperoncini

8 oz fresh mozzarella pearls

Grated Parmesan and chopped parsley, to garnish

Homemade Italian dressing (see instructions)


Instructions

  1. Prepare the dressing and refrigerate; shake well before using.
  2. Cook rotini in salted boiling water until al dente; drain and transfer to a large bowl.
  3. Toss warm pasta with half the dressing to help it absorb flavor.
  4. Add pepperoni, salami, tomatoes, olives, bell peppers, red onion, pepperoncini, and mozzarella; toss gently to combine.
  5. Cover and refrigerate 30–60 minutes (or up to 24 hours) to let flavors meld.
  6. Before serving, toss with remaining dressing and garnish with Parmesan and parsley.

Notes

  • Assemble minus dressing up to a day ahead; add dressing just before chilling.
  • If salad dries out, stir in a bit more dressing or a drizzle of olive oil.
  • Use gluten-free rotini or omit meats for a vegetarian version.
  • Drizzle a little olive oil on drained pasta to prevent sticking before dressing.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: No-cook assembly
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 280
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 550mg
  • Fat: 12g
  • Saturated Fat: 5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 26g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 8g
  • Cholesterol: 20mg

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