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Italian Pasta Salad 🥗

Melissa Jo Posted: Last Updated:
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An Italian Pasta Salad with rotini, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, salami, and fresh basil in a white dish sits on a table. In the background, there is a cookbook titled Make it! by Melissa Kauper.

Summary

Italian pasta salad is the perfect dish for any occasion or holiday. Pasta is topped with only 4 ingredients: deli salami, marinated mozzarella balls, chopped basil, and grape tomatoes. And tossed with my family recipe for homemade, lighty creamy Italian dressing. Absolutely perfect.

❤️ Why You’ll Love Italian Pasta Salad

My Family recipe for a silky creamy Italian dressing is so simple, but addicting! Sugar, Mayo, Olive oil, Red Wine Vinegar, & herbs. You may just want to commit this dressing recipe to memory! Drop a comment on this recipe blog or a DM on Instagram and let me know how you like it!

An honest review of this delicious pasta salad recipe from Instagram!! Thank you for your review, I’m so glad you loved it!!!

Instagram comment: “The Italian Pasta Salad recipe as is a crowd favorite. 5 pasta salads at 4th barbecue… mine was gone… the others hardy touched.” Three clapping hands emoji appear at the end. Profile image shows two people in sunglasses.

🤔 Common Questions

Can I add extra vegetables into the salad?

Yes, you can add diced bell peppers, red onions, or sun dried tomatoes and more. Why not dice up some pepperoni or your favorite Italian deli meats and add them too?! Just remember, the more you add the more dressing you need. You can always double the dressing recipe! Make it to your own!

What other types of pastas can I use in this Italian Pasta salad?

Fusilli, Rotini, and even elbow macaroni are great alternatives.

The BEST Macaroni Salad


An Italian Pasta Salad with rotini, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, salami, and fresh basil in a white dish sits on a table. In the background, there is a cookbook titled Make it! by Melissa Kauper.
Melissa Jo

Italian Pasta Salad

5 from 1 vote
Italian Pasta Salad is topped with deli Salami, marinated mozzarella balls, a handful of basil, and a pint of grape tomatoes. All tossed with my family homemade creamy Italian dressing.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Servings: 8 people
Course: Salad
Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb radiator pasta
  • 1/4 lb genoa salami diced
  • 12 oz marinated mozzarella balls sliced in half
  • 1 dry pint grape tomatoes sliced into thirds
  • 3 marinated roman artichoke hearts chopped
  • Handful of basil chopped
  • Dressing:
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 4 tbsp mayo
  • 4 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 4 tbsp grated pecorino romano
  • 1 garlic clove smashed & minced
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Method
 

  1. To a large bowl add Genoa salami, tomatoes, artichoke hearts, and mozzarella.
  2. Boil pasta until al dente and once its done rinse the pasta with cold water.
  3. Then pour the pasta into the bowl and top with fresh basil.
  4. Make the dressing by combining olive oil, mayo, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, grated pecorino romano, sugar, salt & pepper.
  5. Pour the dressing over the pasta salad and toss everything together.
  6. Let that chill for at least an hour before serving. Enjoy!

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👝 How to Store Leftovers

Store in an air-tight container for 3-5 days

Melissa Jo

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Recipe Creator & Cookbook Author

I'm Melissa Jo — the recipe creator, Amazon Live host, and everyday food lover behind Melissa Jo Real Recipes. I learned to cook the old-fashioned way, watching my Italian grandmother and my mama work their magic in the kitchen, and now I share easy, saucy, no-fuss meals for real life alongside the authentic Italian family recipes I grew up on. Grab a stick of butter and let's make something delicious together.

5 from 1 vote

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Recipe Rating




One Comment

  1. 5 stars
    Made it today with tricolor pasta because my store didn’t have other.it was delicious! I doubled the dressing recipe just to have extra on side if needed.

    Reply