Creamy Italian Pasta Salad

Name: Creamy Italian Pasta Salad
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 8 oz fusilli, orecchiette, bowtie or rigatoni (cooked al dente, drained & cooled); 4 oz chopped salami; 4 oz chopped pepperoni; 8 oz fresh mozzarella (cut into cubes); 1 cup marinated artichoke hearts (drained and chopped); 1/2 cup sliced olives; 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved); 1/3 cup basil pesto; 2/3 cup light or regular Caesar dressing; 1/4 cup sliced red onion; 1/4 cup shredded parmesan; Garnish: additional Parmesan and sliced fresh basil

JUMP TO RECIPE

This Creamy Italian Pasta Salad has all of the flavors we love with a classic recipe but with a creamy dressing that’s garlicky and so delicious. It’s a simple recipe that’s easy to make for a crowd in about 30 minutes and also works well to make in advance too.

We love sharing the story of how we came up with this recipe, it was actually by accident! A couple of years ago we wanted to make pasta salad for a barbecue and forgot to buy the ingredients for the dressing. We had Caesar salad dressing in the fridge and decided to add it to the recipe – it was a massive hit!

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We’ve since made this recipe many times since and our family and friends love it. Plus you can customize it easily to your liking and it pairs well with dishes like our Balsamic Flank Steak or Costa Vida Sweet Pork.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

A pasta salad with about 10 ingredients. We made sure to keep the ingredient list simple and easy to shop. All the items are quick to find at your local store.
Caesar and basil pesto are the sauces for this pasta salad. Together they add creaminess as well as a bright herb flavor that’s just unique and delicious.
Great side dish for a party or crowd. This pairs well with most main courses and also transports easily too!

Ingredients

Scroll Down to the Bottom of this Post for Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Printable Recipe Card

Short pasta noodles: We love to use fusilli, orecchiette, bowtie or rigatoni. Cook them to al dente for the best texture.
Salami: Adds a nice smoky, meaty flavor.
Pepperoni: Gives that hint of spicy sausage we all love.
Fresh mozzarella: Adds a creamy, mild cheese texture and flavor.
Marinated artichoke hearts: We love marinated here for their extra punch of flavor from the olive oil and herbs they are jarred in.
Sliced olives: We love black olives, but you can use whatever kind you like.
Cherry tomatoes: Adds a burst of fresh veggie flavor.
Basil pesto: Use your favorite store-bought flavor or homemade.
Light or regular Caesar dressing: The key ingredient for creaminess. We love the cheesy, garlicky flavor the Caesar dressing adds.
Red onion: Gives a bright onion flavor to every bite.
Shredded parmesan: Adds nice cheesy qualities that every Italian pasta salad needs.
Garnish options: Add sliced fresh basil for a pop of color and freshness. Extra parmesan is also an excellent addition!

The ingredients to make creamy Italian pasta salad.

TOOLS YOU’LL NEED

How to Make Creamy Italian Pasta Salad

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.

Chop and prep the tomatoes, olives, red onion, meats, cheeses, and artichokes.

Chopping the items for creamy Italian pasta salad on a cutting board.

In a large bowl, combine the cooked and drained pasta, prepped ingredients, Caesar dressing, and pesto. Toss gently until well combined. Transfer to a serving dish.

Mixing together the ingredients for creamy pasta salad.

Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Give the salad another gentle toss before serving. Garnish with additional parmesan cheese and fresh basil if desired.

Expert Tips

Be sure to cook your pasta to al dente according to the box instructions. This will prevent your pasta salad from becoming mushy. If you over boil the noodles, then the pasta itself will be softer to the bite.
Add your favorite toppings. If there’s anything else you love in an Italian pasta salad, feel free to customize! We’ve added chicken, banana peppers, red chili flakes, and more!
It’s almost better to make this in advance. We love prepping this side dish for a crowd and we’ll make it ahead of time to allow the flavors to marinate in the fridge for an hour or so before serving.
If you don’t like raw onion, you can either omit or soak it in ice water for 10 minutes prior to adding it to the salad. Soaking in ice water will actually take out the sharp bite that some people don’t like, it’s a genius tip!

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Give a gently toss when serving again to help the flavors stay fresh.

This recipe will not freeze well, but if you want to make it in advance, that’s a great option too!

FAQs

How is a pasta salad made great?

You want to choose the freshest, most flavorful ingredients so every bite is crisp and refreshing.

How do I make a pasta salad creamy?

We like to use a creamy dressing like Caesar as a fun twist on the classic recipe. You could also add a dollop of mayonnaise to any olive oil based salad dressing to add a creamy texture.

How far in advance can I make a pasta salad?

We recommend making it up to a few hours in advance and storing in the fridge. You can also prep all the ingredients the day before and then toss them quickly together when it’s time to serve.

What pasta shapes work best with pasta salad?

We like a short noodle and often one with twirls or ridges since it binds to the dressing better giving it more flavor.

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