Classic Italian Pasta Salad
Classic Italian Pasta Salad is a colorful and reliable, go-to pasta salad recipe for spring or summer dinners, parties and picnics. This would be great for a pasta salad for a potluck!
I’m back from Mexico and have this Classic Italian Pasta Salad to share with you today! I had the best time and loved where we stayed. I must say it makes it much easier to snap back to reality when you are coming home to nice weather and not 10 feet of snow and cold.
I love springtime here in upstate NY and don’t mind “reality” right now at all. I feel like I have my own little mini resort in my backyard with our huge patio and gazebo. I spend a lot more time out there than I care to admit once the weather turns nice.
I’m so glad you’re here! Follow along on Pinterest for more inspiration!
Pasta salads are always a huge hit for Memorial day, potlucks, summer picnics or a simple weeknight meal side dish. Everyone needs a good, reliable pasta salad recipe in their life, right? My new obsession is my Cashew Chicken Rotini Salad.
This Classic Italian Pasta Salad is so colorful (I love colorful food because somehow in my head it makes the food taste better) and hearty enough to actually stand as a light meal on it’s own. Pasta salads are great because you can make them ahead of time – and it actually is advantageous to make them in advance for the flavor to be the best it can be.
This quick chop and throw-together Classic Italian Pasta Salad is full of great flavor and will be your new favorite side dish. It’s a great salad to use some of those fresh garden vegetables you may have laying around.
The little dash of white sugar I like to add to my pasta salads actually takes the edge off the Italian dressing without making the salad itself sweet at all. You can leave this out but I really believe it makes a difference in the flavor!
Here are a couple of my other favorite pasta salad recipes: Simple Pasta Salad, Caprese Pasta Salad and Greek Pasta Salad. You may also like some of the creative pasta salads from my friends: Creamy Pasta Salad that is light and slightly tangy from my friend Mary and Shrimp Pasta Salad with homemade Italian dressing from my friend Amy. Enjoy!
Visit my Step-By-Step Video on How to Make This Classic Italian Pasta Salad!
- 1 (16 ounce) package fusilli or rotini pasta
- 3 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ pound provolone cheese, cubed
- ½ pound sliced pepperoni, cut in half
- 1 large green bell pepper, diced
- 1 (10 ounce) can black olives, drained
- ¼ teaspoon white sugar
- 1 (8 ounce) bottle good quality Italian salad dressing
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Add pasta, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente.
- Drain, and rinse with cold water. Pat the noodles dry with a clean dish or paper towels to get some of the water off.
- In a large bowl, combine pasta with tomatoes, cheese, pepperoni, green pepper, olives and sugar.
- Pour in salad dressing, and toss to coat.
- Let sit in the refrigerator for at least a couple of hours for flavors to come together before serving. If letting sit overnight, you may need some more Italian dressing added before serving because the pasta will soak it up. Enjoy!
I´ve got a similar pasta recipe but it doesn´t have pepperoni in it. I love the idea of adding the pepperoni!
If you want to add the pepperoni I find it easier to use the salad pepperoni. It’s bite size so no cutting involved.
That’s a great idea! I have seen the bite size at the store.
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Summer is all about delicious pasta salads! Sometimes I think I go to picnics only to eat all of the pasta salad. Haha! My mother-in-law makes a very similar salad to this one, and I absolutely love it. She gets thick (1/2″) slices of pepperoni from the deli counter and then cubes that for her version. Nothing beats pepperoni in a pasta salad! I hope you are settling back into the swing of things after Mexico. 🙂
My daughter would love this! She has been raving about a very similar pasta salad we had recently at a pot luck – I am especially loving the pepperoni in this! Welcome back, btw! 🙂
I make something similar and agree that this would be the perfect dish to a potluck!
I love this salad! One of my faves!
I too love this salat
What a yummy pasta salad…perfect for a picnic
This is my favorite type of pasta salad. One that’s loaded with all sorts of Italian meats and cheeses. SO good!
Ashley, welcome back! You know what I love about summer? Is that everyone comes up with these amazing summer salads. There’s not much I like better than a cold summer salad on hot days. Definitely pinning this to make later!
This is totally my kind of pasta salad! Welcome back from vacation – I seriously wish I could stow away in your luggage – your trip photos always look so fun!
I’m glad you had such a good time in Mexico! This pasta salad is the perfect potluck dish for summertime.
Wish I could pick all the olives, tomatoes and pepperoni right off my computer screen!
that’s right
I love Italian pasta salads…I’d give anything for a big serving of this right now. I usually use salami, but I think I need to try pepperoni next time – looks so good!
Pasta salad is my go-to summertime side dish. It’s so perfectly easy and I can empty the fridge by throwing in random vegetables and any leftover pepperoni. It’s so good!
YAY!! Glad you had a great time in Mexico!! Pasta salads are perfect for Memorial Day and this one will look great on our picnic table!!
So glad you had a great trip! This is the perfect summer time pasta dish!
This is my favorite way to make pasta salad! I always add peas, too. 🙂
Couldn’t see any provolone cheese chunks, But, I’ll sure add it to mine! YUM!!
Nancy – you’re so right! The time I made it (and photographed it) I left out the cheese because my Father-in-law doesn’t eat cheese! Funny that you noticed – I was wondering if anyone would! LOL 🙂
So, what kind of excellent Italian dressing do people recommend??
I add chunks of provolone cheese, chick peas and sliced up artichoke hearts, but no peppers or sugar.. I also use thicker sliced pepperoni and my olives are sliced. If you want a little twist on it, I let mine “marinade” in the house Italian dressing overnight and before I serve it I add creamy Italian dressing and stir it up. I have been making this for years and everyone always loves it.
I love these ideas! Thank you !!
I too
Best Idea
Just made this. It’s the perfect go-to summer pasta salad. Very simple and delicious! Thank you!!
Mary, thanks for letting me know! I appreciate it! I love to hear when my recipes turn out for people.
How much is a serving? like a 1/2 cup?
I never really measured but it makes a LOT!
Dear Ashley, This salad is fun and delicious. I love pasta salads like this….my family would love this too. Perfect for lunch or dinner! Happy New Year dear. xo, Catherine
I make mine a little different, but it is so easy and versatile. It is my go to dish for a last minute ger together.
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Your salad is so pretty and colorful! We love a great pasta salad and I bet that pepperoni is excellent. Thanks for including mine too!
Love the bright and vibrant colors!
Beautiful! And the flavors…yum!
This looks like a great side dish for a summer party!
How about adding cucumbers n onions
Feel free to do that! Sounds good.
Absolutely do not use any kind of bottle Italian dressing. Use good seasons Italian dressing mix.. save all the juice from the olives and pepperchinis to make your dreasing.. use red wine or apple cider vinegar And use salad Supreme seasonings. Itll be the best salad you’ve ever made
I never tried onions in mines but i do use pepperoni, green bell peppers, itailian dressing, cherry tommatoes, shredded cheddar cheese, a little creamy ranch, some apple cider vineger, a few drops of lemon juice, i boil my noodles in sesoning
Loaded pasta salads are the best! This one is fabulous!!
I need this for dinner!
So much bold flavor here. Love the pepperonis too!!
Oh the perfect year-round salad.
This is my favorite – I could live on it all summer long!
So perfect for my end of summer picnic!
Perfect for dinner any night of the week!
Perfect salad for parties!
great recipe for a classic dish!
Found your recipe by chance after being assigned the duty of a pasta salad for my son’s volleyball team. Everyone loved it- even my picky son! So happy I found this recipe. Thanks for sharing.
I tried this salad yesterday for a potluck dinner with friends. It was a hit and I didn’t have any left over! They loved the salad and asked me to make it again for out next gathering.
I made it exactly as your recipe states and it was perfect, light, fresh and soooo colorful! It was almost too pretty to eat! Thanks for all your recipes.
You make lovely dishes…such a great inspiration you are
I like Italian food. Can’t wait to try your recipe. Your photos are great and thanks for sharing.
Woow… Great, look at how you do I can say you are very professional. I have bookmarked your page and will try it on the weekend.
Thank you for sharing!
Salad is my favorite. I’ll try to make it then share with my neighbor. Thanks for your posting.
Classic recipe comes with classic ingredients. Tasteful and eye-catching food that I can’t resist. I really love it. Pasta salad is the best for everyone. I will recommend this recipe to my family and friends.
I absolutely love you it!!!!!!!! I will make this recipe to cook a phenomenal food. I and my family will absolutely adore it. Can I add more garnish to look it more special?
Looks so good. The mixing is fresh and full of flavors. I wonder why don’t set it as a main dish, not a salad, but it’s Italian food. Anyway thanks a lot.
This looks delicious!! this is one of my favorite, ? Thanks.
Thanks! This looks so easy to make, yet looks really satisfying and tasty!
Great to see your post, I had a chance to try Italian salad and this salad looks the same, I was finding for this. Thanks so much.
Thanks for sharing such a great recipe!
what a superb salad!
Thanks for sharing such a nice post.
Hello Ashley, I tried this salad yesterday for a potluck dinner with friends. It was a hit and I didn’t have any left over! I made it exactly as your recipe states and it was perfect, light, fresh and soooo colorful!! It was almost too pretty to eat! Thanks for all your recipes and I love the videos.
I think I make it on the weekend for my family. The photos are nice. Thanks for the post.
Made these today. This method is perfect, thank you!
Wow! Really Nice Post. I like this recipe a lot!
Your article is very helpful for me.
Thank you
thanks for sharing the fabulous post//..
Perfect Salad! Loved it.
I make a version of this but I don’t add any chunks of cheese but do bulk up the salad with broccoli and shredded carrots that I steamed just enough to brighten the color and remove the raw taste. I also add a jar of marinated artichoke hearts reserve the marinade for the dressing.
I use the reserved marinade, red wine vinegar, olive oil, Italian seasoning garlic and onion powder for my dressing and grate fresh parmesan pretty much an entire wedge. It is requested meal every summer and my grown son requests it for his birthday e very July.
I love this pasta salad. Thanks for sharing!
Classic Italian Pasta Salad is great! The ingredients are simple and easy to process, the taste is great. I just finished it tonight and the result is beyond my expectations. We had a great dinner. all thanks to your recipe. love your recipe. Thanks for sharing
That recipe looks so yummy! I’ll have to try that one. Thanks for sharing.
I’ll treat my friends this weekend with this Italian pasta. I am very impressed with your processing
Avocado and tuna are both great for the brain, this is a fulfilling snack for everyone especially the kids. It was absolutely delicious thank you for sharing.
Delicious summer noodle salad! Sometimes I think I go to a picnic to eat all the pasta salads. Oh no! My mother-in-law makes salads like me and I like them. He found a few thin pieces of spice on the table, then a bucket of his version. There’s nothing like pepperoni in a pasta salad!
I’ll treat my friends this weekend with this Italian pasta. I am very impressed with your processing
Kids loved it. very good and easy recipe, i tried it last night
My Mom really loves to eat salad and your recipes are so great for me to help me make the meaningful dinner for her at every weekend. Thanks for sharing the instructions and your experience.
Looking at this dish I really miss my hometown, I have been away from home for more than 10 years, probably I will visit home.
thank you.
Is this dish difficult to make?
hi, Ashley
I really like your recipe and how to cook it, especially the one that involves beef.
thank you
I am losing weight and am looking for some recipes to complete my weight loss schedule. so lucky i found you If you have more, can I learn more? How can I contact you here? thank you very much.
i love your all recipe and its very helpful for me
Awesome! One of my favorite Classic Italian Pasta Salad, nice to see your recipe, easy to follow, will cook this for family this weekend. Thanks you!
Wow, it…seems delicious!
It’s really a best one always for me.
This classic italian pasta is worth a try. It was amazing to prepare this dish
This recipe is great! I made it according to your recipe and the taste is great! Everyone in the family likes it, it makes me happy. thank you
I add a portion of probolone cheese, peas and artichokes in the dark, but also without pepper or sugar. If you want it to be more crunchy, let the “marinade” sit on the Italian chair overnight and add the mixed Italian spaghetti before serving. I’ve been doing this for years and everyone loves it. Salam Buat Plakat Akrilik
oh cool nice recipe
Nice recipe i will give 5 * for this recipe
Thanks for the recipe
Cool blog thanks for sharing the article get latest shayaries visit here
Awesome blog
always the best information
Great job. Please keep sharing such type of posts. Thanku so much.
Hi Ashley, This is deliciously mouth-watering pasta salad, I will definitely try this out.
The good thing about pasta salads is that they can be prepared in advance and left for a while. At the same time, over time, the taste only becomes more expressive. Looks appetizing – Maxim is an employee at PIROMAX.
like the recipe. I’ll try it
Sounds Delicious..! I enjoyed to read this recipe. I will definitely try this out. Once again thanks a lot for this yummy recipe. Keep sharing.
An impressive recipe!I have just forwarded this to a co-worker
looks delicisous !!!
An impressive recipe!I have just forwarded this to a co-worker
Wow… Delicious…This recipe will definitely go into my book! It is really good and so simple to make it. I am starting to make them all the time! Thank you for the amazing post.
Hello @ Ashley,
First of all i would like to thanks for sharing this amazing delicious recipe with us. This is deliciously mouth-watering pasta salad, I will definitely try this out. Keep it up.
Nice post. I like your content. I have been looking for this type of content in the last few days. Thank you for giving me this information.
This is recipe is Nice! I made it according to your recipe and the taste is great! Everyone in the family likes it, it makes me happy. thank you
Very yummy recipe, thanks for sharing 🙂
Nice Article and this salad was delicious
Love pasta , fan of this , thanks for sharing this , will definitely gonna try this one
Very yummy recipe, love your ideas, please keep posting! thanks for sharing 🙂
This is recipe is Nice! I made it according to your recipe and the taste is great! Everyone in the family likes it, it makes me happy. thank you
Your blog is an inspiration and one day I seek to go to Italy and have some pasta by myself!!!
This is recipe is Nice! I made it according to your recipe and the taste is great! Everyone in the family likes it, it makes me happy. I enjoyed to read this recipe. I will definitely try this out. Once again thanks a lot for this yummy recipe. Keep sharing.
Love this delicious Classic Italian Pasta Salad, this one seems super delicious and amazing recipe . Will love to try this unique one , thanks for sharing this with us .
Your blog is an inspiration and one day I seek to go to Italy and have some pasta by myself!!!
Love this delicious Classic Italian Pasta Salad, this one seems super delicious and amazing recipe . Will love to try this unique one , thanks for sharing this with us
Love pasta , thanks for sharing this , I will definitely gonna try this one
Fantastic Blog
Thanks for sharing this delicious Classic Italian Pasta Salad, seem amazing . Excited to try this one.
Looking delicious! thanks for sharing an awesome recipe.
What an amazing recipe, In loved making it, and even my whole family loved it
I need this for dinner
Thanks for sharing this delicious Classic Italian Pasta Salad, seem amazing . Excited to try this one.
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