Rich in protein and deliciousness, this spring and summer side dish favorite will be the BEST pasta salad you’ve ever had!
After this month’s Best Ever Macaroni Salad success, the messages asking for pasta salad have been nonstop! Well, here you go! I first introduced y’all to this bowl of deliciousness 2 years ago. It was a hit back then, and it still is today.
It’s customizable as well, so get creative with it! With its colorful medley of ingredients and refreshing flavors, pasta salad is a staple at summer barbecues, picnics and get-togethers. This recipe will impress your guests and keep them coming back for more.
Table of Contents
What You’ll Need
Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Recipe Card Below
- Rotini Noodles
- Vegetables: Cucumber, Carrot, Yellow Bell Pepper, Red Onion, Olives, Sweet Cherry Tomatoes
- Pepperoni
- Fresh Mozzarella
- Fresh Basil
- Caesar Dressing
- Greek Dressing
- Parmesan Cheese
Tools You’ll Need
- Cutting Board
- Chef’s Knife
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Rotary Grater
- Tongs
Why You’ll like this Recipe
- It’s an excellent light and fresh spring and summer side dish!
- It’s got an amazing blend of colors, textures and flavors!
- It’s customizable to your taste and nutrition preference!
- It’s rich in protein and deliciousness!
How to Make this Recipe
- In a large bowl, combine all ingredients (plus or minus however much you’d like).
- Toss until well combined. Garnish with fresh basil and parmesan cheese. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Tips and Substitutions
- This is highly customizable. Besides the ingredients I used, you could also incorporate asparagus, cauliflower, chickpeas, broccoli, zucchini, squash, radishes, sugar snap peas, corn, edamame, beans, cheese, etc.
- You can make this pasta salad a meal by simply pairing it with a protein like grilled chicken, shrimp, tuna, ham, tofu or steak.
- You can use a variety of dressings like Italian dressing, balsamic vinaigrette, ranch dressing, Caesar dressing, or a simple olive oil and vinegar dressing. Mayonnaise-based dressings are also popular for creamy pasta salads too.
Storage
- Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator up to 3-4 days. The pasta tends to soak up the dressing the longer it’s stored. If needed, toss with additional dressing. This is not freeze and thaw friendly dish.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What type of pasta works best?
- Short pasta shapes like rotini, penne, fusilli, or farfalle, work well for pasta salad. They hold the dressing and other ingredients, ensuring every bite is flavorful.
- Can I make pasta salad in advance?
- Yes, pasta salad is a great make-ahead dish. You can prepare it a few hours or even a day in advance. Just give it a toss before serving to redistribute the flavors.
- How can I keep my pasta salad from drying out?
- To prevent pasta salad from drying out, make sure the pasta is properly cooked and slightly undercooked, as it absorbs some of the dressing and softens further in the refrigerator. You can reserve a small amount of dressing to add right before serving to freshen up the salad.
- Is this recipe gluten-free?
- This can easily become gluten-free by ensuring the dressing variety and pasta you choose is gluten-free.
More Recipes Like This
Best Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 8 ounces rotini noodles
- ¾ cup chopped English cucumber
- ¾ cup shredded carrot
- 1 yellow bell pepper chopped
- ½ cup diced red onion
- 5 ounces sliced olives
- 14 ounces cherry tomatoes halved
- 3-4 ounces regular or turkey pepperoni quartered
- 6 ounces fresh mozzarella cubed
- 2 ounces fresh basil thinly sliced
- ⅓ cup light Caesar dressing
- ⅓ cup light Greek dressing
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼-1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add pasta to the boiling water and cook it according to the package instructions until it is al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water.
- Toss until well combined. Taste and adjust flavors as desired.
- Transfer to a serving dish or large bowl. Garnish with additional fresh basil and parmesan cheese if desired.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Video
Notes
Expert Tips and Substitutions
- Customize to Taste: This pasta salad is highly customizable. Besides the ingredients I used, here are some more ingredients you could incorporate:
- Blanched Asparagus
- Blanched or Raw Broccoli
- Blanched or Raw Cauliflower
- Red Peppers or Green Peppers
- Kalamata Olives, Black Olives
- Sundried Tomatoes
- Italian Seasoning
- Fresh Parsley
- Green Onions
- Chickpeas
- Zucchini
- Squash
- Radishes
- Sugar snap peas
- Fresh Corn
- Edamame
- Beans
- Crispy Bacon
- Cheese (Feta Cheese or Cheddar Cheese)
- Prep in Advance: Have all of your pasta salad ingredients chopped and measured first for quicker assembly and a lesser chance of error.
- Make it a Meal: You can make this pasta salad a meal by simply pairing it with a protein like grilled chicken, shrimp, tuna, ham, tofu or steak.
- Dressing: Vinegar-based dressing varieties like Italian dressing, balsamic vinaigrette, ranch dressing, Caesar dressing, or a simple olive oil and vinegar dressing all work great. Mayonnaise-based dressings are also popular for creamy pasta salads too. Add the dressing gradually and toss well to coat. You can always add more dressing as needed, but it's harder to remove excess dressing once added.
Phyllis Dennis
This pasta salad is so delicious!!
Laura Ashley
Thank you SO much!!