This incredibly flavorful Italian Pasta Salad recipe combines a delicious mix of classic antipasto ingredients. It’s a super versatile and crowd-pleasing, make-ahead salad that’s perfect for any occasion.

Jump to:

• ❤️ Why You'll Love This Pasta Salad Recipe
• 🛒 Ingredients for Easy Pasta Salad
• 🔪 How to Make Italian Pasta Salad
• 💡 Tips for Making the Best Pasta Salad
• How Long Will Pasta Salad Last in the Fridge?
• 🍴 What to Serve with Pasta Salad
• 🔄 Substitutions and Additions
• Is Pasta Salad Healthy?
• What is an Italian Pasta Salad Made of?
• Is Italian Dressing in Pasta Salad?
• 🍽️ More Tasty Side Dish Recipes

❤️ Why You'll Love This Pasta Salad Recipe

• Flavorful mix of classic Italian antipasto ingredients
• Tossed in an easy homemade vibrant and tangy dressing
• Perfect to bring to a potluck or BBQ
• Can make ahead to save time

Pasta salads are a staple at any summer BBQ or potlucks. They're so easy to throw together and can be made hours or even a day in advance. But, what makes this pasta salad so scrumptious is that it combines al dente pasta with an array of flavors and colors that will immediately remind you of your favorite Italian Antipasti Platter.

This salad is bursting with so much flavor and freshness. It features juicy, marinated artichoke hearts, briny black olives, and fresh cherry tomatoes. The addition of Italian soppressata and creamy pearls of fresh mozzarella provides the salad with extra protein and amazing textures. For the perfect finishing touch, the ingredients are dressed with zesty homemade vinaigrette, that is healthy, wholesome and sugar-free.

Another great thing about this recipe is that it's so satisfying that it can be served as a side dish or a light main course. If you love entrée salad recipes, you should also check out this Roasted Salmon Quinoa summer Salad or this Asian Grilled Chicken Salad.

🛒 Ingredients for Easy Pasta Salad

• Farfalle pasta
• Cherry tomatoes
• Soppressata
• Mozzarella cheese
• Marinated artichoke hearts
• Kalamata olives
• Fresh parsley
• Olive oil
• White wine vinegar
• Lemon juice
• Honey
• Dijon mustard
• Garlic, grated
• Dried oregano
• Salt
• Ground black pepper

*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

🥣 Recommended Tools

• Small mixing bowl
• Large pot
• Sharp kitchen knife
• Measuring cups
• Measuring spoons

🔪 How to Make Italian Pasta Salad

To Make the Pasta Salad Dressing

Add all of the dressing ingredients into a small mixing bowl.

Whisk until well combined, then set aside.

To Make the Pasta Salad

Heat a large pot of water and once it comes to a boil, add in some salt and the pasta.

Cook according to the instructions on the package, until it’s al dente. Then rinse and drain.

While the pasta is cooking, slice the cherry tomatoes and mozzarella in half. If you’re using mozzarella pearls, you can leave them whole.

Slice the soppressata into quarters, along with the Kalamata olives in half, then chop the artichoke hearts.

Add the drained pasta into a large bowl, and add the tomatoes, mozzarella, soppressata, olives, artichoke hearts over the pasta.  Sprinkle the chopped parsley on top.

Pour the dressing over the top and toss until well combined. 

Allow to chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour before serving.

💡 Tips for Making the Best Pasta Salad

• Don’t overcook the pasta: Cook the pasta just until it's al dente. This helps it remain firm and keeps it from getting mushy in the salad.

• Rinse the pasta: For most pasta recipes, it’s a big no-no to rinse pasta. For pasta salad recipes, rinse the cooked pasta under cold water immediately stops the cooking process, and allows it to cool down quickly.

• Balancing your flavors: For the best pasta salad, you need a good balance of flavors by combining, tangy salty, and herby ingredients.

• Chill before serving: Give the pasta salad time to chill in the fridge for at least an hour before serving. This gives the pasta time to soak in all the other flavors in the salad.

• Serve at room temperature: Though this may be a personal preference, I find that it's better to let the pasta salad sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving. It really helps to bring out the flavors more than serving straight out of the fridge.

• Avoid over-seasoning: When the salad is first assembled, you may taste it and think it needs additional salt or other seasonings. For best results, give the salad time to sit and soak in the seasonings before adding more. Then taste it right before serving and adjust if needed.

How Long Will Pasta Salad Last in the Fridge?

The shelf life of pasta salad in the fridge really depends on its ingredients and how fresh they were to start with. If you're using all super fresh produce, cheese, and meats, this pasta salad should stay fresh for about 3 to 5 days in the refrigerator, in an airtight container.

🍴 What to Serve with Pasta Salad

Because this salad is full of Italian meat and cheese, it can stand alone as a light main course. But if you're wanting a more substantial meal, here are some great options you can try.

Chicken: Grilled chicken is a classic choice that goes great with pasta salad. Some of my favorite chicken recipes to serve with pasta salad are, gluten-free Chicken Piccata, Chimichurri Chicken, and this Grilled Chicken Bruschetta.

Fish: Fish can be a delicious and healthy option to serve with this pasta salad. Try it with this Baked Snapper with Compound Butter, these Simple Salmon Bites and these yummy Mediterranean Shrimp Pan Shrimp.

Steak: A juicy and well-seasoned steak is always a main course favorite. If you're looking for a new steak recipe, this Easy Air Fryer Steak Bites and this Cast Iron Steak with Mushrooms will not disappoint.

Vegetarian options: For vegetarians or those seeking a lighter meal, a simple serving of grilled vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and eggplant can be a great choice. You can also serve this pasta salad with Sweet Potato Red Onion Puff Pastry Tart or with with a buttery slice of this Braided Herb Bread or this gluten free Focaccia.

🔄 Substitutions and Additions

• Pasta options: Instead of Farfalle, you can use other pasta shapes such as penne, fusilli, or rotini. Keep in mind, you want a sturdy enough shape that will hold up well with the other heavier ingredients. You can also swap regular pasta for whole wheat pasta.

• Meats: You can use any type of Italian meat you prefer. Or to change it up with extra protein, add grilled or roasted chicken, cooked shrimp, or even leftover steak.

• Veggies: Other tasty veggies are red peppers, pan-seared asparagus tips, grilled chunks of zucchini, grilled eggplant, or even some of these tangy Marinated Mushrooms.

• Cheeses: You can get creative with this recipe and add any of your favorite types of cheese. You can add shredded cheddar, grated or crumbled parmesan, or cubed provolone instead of mozzarella.

• Nuts: Add delicious crunch with toasted pine nuts, slivered almonds, or chopped walnuts.

• Other tasty add-ins: Sun-dried tomatoes, capers or other fresh herbs in addition to or instead of the the parsley and oregano are great choices.

Is Pasta Salad Healthy?

While this pasta salad does include regular pasta, it can still be considered a wholesome and well-balanced dish. The salad includes nutrient-dense vegetables and healthy protein. The dressing is made with a healthy, sugar-free dressing that's a much better alternative to heavy and creamy store-bought dressings.

What is an Italian Pasta Salad Made of?

What makes this an Italian pasta salad instead of any other type pasta salad is the addition of Italian cured meat, the tangy vinaigrette and the mozzarella cheese.

If you like cheeseburgers, try this Jimmy Buffet Pasta Salad made with whole wheat pasta, paradise dressing and all your favorite cheeseburger toppings!

Be sure to also try this penne rosa. It's a quick and easy creamy tomato sauce with penne pasta that's perfect for busy weeknights!

Is Italian Dressing in Pasta Salad?

It can have Italian dressing, though you can also use a simple vinaigrette like I used in this recipe. If you'd like to try a healthy, homemade Italian Dressing in this salad, this Easy Italian Dressing, is an awesome option.

🍽️ More Tasty Side Dish Recipes

• Roasted Brussels Sprouts
• Mozzarella Stuffed Peppers
• Roasted Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
• Honey Roasted Butternut Squash