Italian Pasta Salad: The easiest side dish perfect for BBQs and get togethers.

This refreshing Italian Pasta Salad is the perfect salad for a party or a barbeque. You can make it quick and easy and it tastes delicious. If you like tangy Italian flavors, you will love this recipe! It is so bright and colorful, and a crowd pleaser every time. If you love our Loaded Italian Salad you will love this one. Basically we are swapping the lettuce for pasta… and you can have fun with what you choose to add into it.

What you will need to make Italian Pasta Salad:

16oz. box rotini pasta noodles
3 string cheese sticks, cut into rounds
1 can black olives, drained and sliced in half
1/2 package pepperoni rounds, sliced in half
cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
1/2 English Cucumber peeled and sliced into rounds
16oz. bottle Italian Dressing (or you can make your own)

Variations:

You can really change up the ingredients for this salad. Here are other things to add that we love:

tri color rotini pasta
chickpeas (or Garbanzo Beans)
bell peppers (green, red, orange or yellow)
grated parmesan cheese
red onion, diced
mozzarella balls or pearls
Flat Leaf Italian Parsley, chopped as a garnish

How to make Italian Pasta Salad:

Cook the pasta in salty water until al dente (as directed on the package). Remove the cooked pasta from the water and add 1/4 cup Italian dressing to the pasta. This will keep the pasta from sticking together. Move the pasta to a sheet pan in a single layer to cool. You can move the pan to the fridge to chill.
Toss together the cheese, olives, cucumbers, tomatoes, pepperoni and cooked rotini pasta.
Add 1/2 of the Italian Dressing to the salad and toss to coat.
Chill the salad in the fridge for at least two hours.
When ready to serve, add more dressing if needed.

How to store Italian Pasta Salad leftovers:

You can store pasta salad in a tight container in the fridge. This pasta salad makes the best lunch the next day.

What kind of Italian Dressing should you use for Italian Pasta Salad?

We love the Olive Garden Italian Dressing, you can buy it or you can make it! Also we love the Good Seasons brand Italian Dressing mix that you make at home.

Can you make this salad ahead?

Yes! This salad is perfect if you are running low on time and need to prep in advance. Just store the pasta with the other ingredients in the fridge separate from the dressing and toss all together when ready to serve.

Can you make Italian Pasta Salad with no meat?

Of course! Just take out the pepperoni and leave it, or replace with chickpeas for protein.

How long does leftover pasta salad last?

Pasta Salad stored in the fridge will last up to 5 days.

What to serve Italian Pasta Salad with:

Italian Pasta Salad is a great side dish for a large gathering. Some dishes that pair well with it are:
-Hamburgers and hot dogs (try our Mango Mint Turkey Burgers!)
-Grilled chicken using our 4 Ingredient Chicken Marinade.
–Chicken Salad Sandwiches.

Italian Pasta Salad

Bring this Italian Pasta Salad to your next big gathering. It will be a crowd pleaser!

Author Kami | NoBiggie.net

Ingredients

16oz. box rotini pasta noodles
3 string cheese sticks, cut into rounds
1 can black olives, drained and sliced in half
1/2 package pepperoni rounds, sliced in half
cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
1/2 English cucumber peeled and sliced into rounds
16oz. bottle Italian Dressing (or you can make your own)

Instructions

Cook the pasta in salty water until al dente (as directed on the package). Remove the cooked pasta from the water and add 1/4 cup Italian dressing to the pasta. This will keep the pasta from sticking together. Move the pasta to a sheet pan in a single layer to cool. You can move the pan to the fridge to chill.
Toss together the cheese, olives, cucumbers, tomatoes, pepperoni and cooked rotini pasta.
Add 1/2 of the Italian Dressing to the salad and toss to coat.
Chill the salad in the fridge for at least two hours.
When ready to serve, add more dressing if needed.