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Italian Antipasto Pasta Salad Recipe

5 from 85 reviews

A vibrant and flavorful Italian Antipasto Pasta Salad featuring tender pasta, savory salami, briny olives, and creamy mozzarella, all tossed in a zesty Italian dressing. Perfect as a refreshing side dish or light meal, this salad is quick to prepare and great for gatherings or meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta Salad Ingredients

  • 3 cups cooked pasta (such as rotini or penne), cooled
  • 1 cup sliced salami, chopped
  • 1/2 cup black olives, sliced
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, cubed or mini balls
  • 1/2 cup Italian dressing

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Boil the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process, then allow to cool completely.
  2. Prepare Ingredients: Slice the salami into bite-sized pieces, slice the olives, and cube or drain the mozzarella balls.
  3. Combine Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, salami, olives, and mozzarella.
  4. Toss with Dressing: Pour the Italian dressing over the pasta mixture and toss thoroughly to ensure everything is evenly coated.
  5. Chill: Cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving.

Notes

  • Use your favorite type of pasta; rotini or penne work best to hold the dressing.
  • Feel free to add other antipasto ingredients such as pepperoncini, roasted red peppers, or artichoke hearts for extra flavor.
  • For a lighter version, substitute the mozzarella with part-skim cheese or use a low-fat Italian dressing.
  • This salad keeps well refrigerated for up to 3 days, making it ideal for meal prep.

Keywords: Italian pasta salad, antipasto pasta salad, cold pasta salad, picnic salad, easy pasta salad recipe