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Italian Pasta Salad

Quick & easy recipe for the best Italian pasta salad - classic, zesty flavor with homemade Italian dressing! Serve cold with pepperoni, or go no meat! :: DontWastetheCrumbs.com

4.7 from 3 reviews

This is the best Italian pasta salad! It’s quick to make with a classic, zesty flavor and an easy pasta salad dressing (with a vegetarian and gluten-free option!). Serve as a yummy dinner side or take to your next potluck.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta Salad

  • 16 oz medium pasta (I used rotini)
  • ½ cup sliced olives
  • ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 4 oz cheddar cheese, cubed (about ½ cup)
  • ½ cup cucumbers, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 3 ½ oz pepperoni, quartered
  • 2 Tbsp sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
  • 2 Tbsp Parmesan, finely grated

Italian Pasta Salad Dressing

  • ½ tablespoon garlic powder
  • ½ tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • ½ tablespoon dried parsley
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon dried basil
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 cup vinegar (any flavor works well)
  • 1½ cups olive oil

Instructions

  1. Prepare the pasta al dente according to package directions. Drain and rinse briefly with cool water.
  2. Prepare the Italian salad dressing according to the directions below.
  3. Meanwhile, prepare the olives, tomatoes, cheese, cucumbers, pepperoni, sun-dried tomatoes and parmesan for the pasta salad.
  4. Combine the cooked pasta with the remaining ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve, although this salad will be fine if it’s left outside at a picnic. This salad can be prepared earlier in the day or the day before.

Instructions for Italian Dressing

  1. Combine everything above in a jar or container capable of holding at least 2 ½ cups. Cover and shake well. The recipe makes just a scant two cups of dressing. Use ¼ cup of dressing for this pasta salad.

Notes

Want a Vegetarian Pasta Salad?

My version includes meat, but you can easily add more vegetables and/or garbanzo beans to make it vegetarian! (Here’s how to make Instant Pot beans so you can still keep the kitchen cool.)

Nutrition

Keywords: Italian pasta salad, Italian pasta, Pasta salad with Italian dressing, easy Italian pasta salad, Italian pasta salad recipe