Creamy Italian Pasta Salad
Whoa baby! This pasta salad is AMAZING! The savory Italian blend of flavors makes it a tough one to stop eating! It’s great as a side dish to your favorite grilled chicken or shrimp or excellent addition to a potluck display!
Servings: 10
Calories: 298kcal
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Video
Notes
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!
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 most people don't like, it's a genius tip!
Nutrition
Serving: 1cup | Calories: 298kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 15g
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