zesty Italian pasta salad recipe
September 9, 2020

Zesty Italian Pasta Salad Recipe

Vegetarian 15 Minute Meals Main Dishes Salads Side Dishes Vegetarian
3 comments

This veggie-packed zesty Italian pasta salad is super flavorful and has officially become one of our new favorite simple meals that’s even toddler-friendly! The base recipe is vegetarian, but there’s also an option to add salami or sausage if you’d like. You do you!

I’m a big fan of pasta salad – anyone else? It’s just so easy and versatile! I mean – pasta, veggies, and cheese drizzled with yummy dressing; what’s not to like, right?

Pasta salad is a great way to use up extra cooked pasta and veggies, and it’s perfect for packed or picnic lunches. It also makes a great side dish or main dish for a BBQ – simple serve it with a grilled protein! 

zesty Italian pasta salad in a bowl with homemade dressing

Zesty Italian Pasta Salad

If you like pasta salad, you will love this Italian pasta salad recipe. It’s super easy, bright, and fresh, with all the colorful and crunchy mix-ins. Perfect for summer make-ahead meals!
 
It makes great leftovers, too, because the flavors will blend even more fully, so be sure to make extra so you have some for later!
 
Check out these other tasty picnic food ideas!

Italian Pasta Salad Ingredients

To make this pasta salad, you’ll need:
  • whole wheat pasta (rotini, fusilli, bow tie, and penne all work great)
  • bell pepper
  • cherry tomatoes
  • cucumber
  • shallot
  • canned artichoke hearts
  • black olives
  • fresh mozzarella
  • salami or Italian sausage (optional)
  • Italian dressing (here’s the recipe for my creamy parmesan & herb Italian dressing, which is our new fave!)
For serving, you can also add in some baby arugula, extra grated parmesan, and/or chopped parsley.
 
Italian pasta salad ingredients

How to Make Pasta Salad

If you haven’t yet, start by preparing the cooked pasta. Cooking it al dente is best, so it doesn’t get mushy. Allow it to cool. Hot tip: you can stop the pasta from cooking further by placing it into a bowl of cold water.
 
Then, chop up your veggies and cheese. (Also the salami or sausage, if you’re adding that). Make sure the pieces are small. That way, you can fit all that yummy stuff into each bite!
 
Next, toss everything together into a large bowl and mix well. Drizzle in your desired amount of Italian dressing, then toss some more, until well-coated.
 
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. If you’re not eating in the next day or two, I recommend waiting a bit to add the dressing. It’s good to let the flavors sit and marinate, but you also don’t want your veggies to get soggy.
 
If desired, serve on a bed of arugula and garnish with extra grated parmesan and chopped parsley!
 
 

Homemade Italian Dressing for Pasta Salad

My favorite dressing for this pasta salad is my creamy parmesan & herb Italian dressing. But feel free to experiment with other vinaigrettes or dressings. Bottled dressings are fine, too! Whatever you prefer or have time for.
 
You’ll find the full zesty Italian pasta salad recipe at the end of this post. Enjoy!
 
zesty Italian pasta salad recipe

Need more tasty packed lunch ideas? Here are some of my favorites:

Zesty Italian Pasta Salad

zesty Italian pasta salad recipe
August 26, 2020 by Anne

This zesty Italian pasta salad is super flavorful, nutritious, and easy to make. Perfect for packed lunches or a tasty picnic meal!

Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Yield
8 servings
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Ingredients:

  • 8 oz whole wheat pasta, cooked according to package directions (rotini, fusilli, bow tie, and penne all work great)
  • 1 bell pepper, diced
  • 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
  • 1 cup diced cucumber
  • 1 shallot, chopped
  • 1 15-oz can quartered artichoke hearts, drained
  • 1 3.8-oz can sliced black olives, drained
  • 8 oz fresh mozzarella, diced
  • 8 oz salami or Italian sausage, diced (optional)
  • 3/4 cup Creamy Parmesan & Herb Italian Dressing, recipe linked below in 'Notes'
  • Optional, for serving: baby arugula, grated parmesan, chopped parsley

Instructions:

  1. Toss all ingredients together in a large bowl.
  2. Serve on a bed of arugula and garnish with grated parmesan and chopped parsley, if desired.

Notes:

My favorite homemade dressing for this: Creamy Parmesan & Herb Italian Dressing

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

- anne

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3 comments
  • This salad looks wonderful! Cannot wait to try it. Thanks!
    Reply
  • This was delicious! We had it for dinner Sunday night and then leftovers for lunch the next two days! Can't wait to make it again! I've added it to my "Faves" board on Pinterest. P.S. I did include the salami and I also added some chopped fresh baby spinach. Yum.
    Reply
    • Yay, so glad it was a hit - thanks for letting me know!
      Reply
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