Italian Antipasto Pasta Salad: 1 Simple Amazing Dish

Hey there! It s Clara, and I m so glad you re here. You know, some of my favorite food memories aren t about fancy dinners. They re about simple meals shared with the people I love. Like the time my grandmother threw together a quick pasta salad with whatever she had in the fridge. It wasn t complicated, but it tasted like pure comfort.

That s the feeling I wanted to capture with this . Life gets crazy, right? We all need those go-to recipes that are easy, taste amazing, and bring a little bit of that cozy family kitchen feeling to our tables. This salad is exactly that.

It s packed with flavor and comes together in a flash. Perfect for those busy weeknights or when you need something delicious to bring to a gathering. Just like we do here at , I m all about making things simple and tasty, so you can spend less time stressing in the kitchen and more time enjoying your food and your people.

Why You ll Love This Italian Antipasto Pasta Salad

Seriously, this salad is a winner for so many reasons! I make it all the time because:

• It s ridiculously easy to throw together.
• You can have it ready in under an hour, including chilling time.
• The flavors are just so good classic Italian goodness.
• It s perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a quick weekday lunch.
• Everyone always asks for the recipe!

Simple Ingredients for Italian Antipasto Pasta Salad

One of the best things about this is how simple the ingredients are. You likely have some of these in your pantry already! We start with a pound of rotini pasta; those spirals grab all the yummy dressing. Then, eight ounces of diced hard salami brings that nice salty bite.

Eight ounces of fresh mozzarella, also diced, adds creamy goodness. A cup of halved cherry tomatoes brings freshness, while half a cup of sliced black olives adds a little tangy flavor. A quarter cup of thinly sliced red onion gives it a bit of zip, and a quarter cup of chopped fresh parsley brightens everything up. We tie it all together with half a cup of zesty Italian dressing.

Ingredient Notes and Simple Substitutions

Don t be afraid to play around with the ingredients! If you don t have rotini, any short pasta like penne or farfalle works great in this . Not a fan of black olives? Try green olives or capers instead. You could also swap the salami for pepperoni or even some cooked chicken.

Feel free to add other veggies too, like diced bell peppers or cucumbers. Just use what you love and what you have on hand. That s the beauty of simple cooking!

How to Prepare Italian Antipasto Pasta Salad

Getting this on the table is super straightforward. It follows a simple flow: cook the pasta, chop everything up, mix it all together, and then let it chill. That chilling step is important! It lets all those delicious flavors get to know each other.

You ll need about 15 minutes for prep work, maybe 10 minutes to cook the pasta, and then a minimum of 30 minutes for chilling. So, from start to finish, you re looking at under an hour to have this ready to go. It s perfect for making ahead of time.

Just follow these steps, and you ll have a fantastic salad everyone will enjoy. Don t worry about perfection; just have fun with it!

Step-by-Step Italian Antipasto Pasta Salad Preparation

First, cook your pound of rotini pasta according to the package directions. Make sure not to overcook it; you want it al dente! Once it s done, drain the pasta and rinse it really well with cold water. This stops the cooking and keeps the pasta from sticking together. Set that aside.

Now, grab a big bowl. Add the cooked and cooled pasta, the diced salami, diced mozzarella, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced black olives, thinly sliced red onion, and chopped fresh parsley. Pour the half cup of Italian dressing over everything.

Gently toss all the ingredients together until everything is nicely coated in the dressing. Season with salt and black pepper to your liking. Give it a taste! Pop the bowl in the fridge and chill for at least 30 minutes before you plan to serve it. This waiting part is the hardest!

Tips for Perfect Italian Antipasto Pasta Salad

To make sure your turns out amazing every time, keep these simple tips in mind. First, make sure you rinse your pasta really well with cold water after draining it. This stops it from cooking further and keeps it from getting gummy. Also, don t skip the chilling time!

Giving the salad at least 30 minutes in the fridge lets the dressing soak into everything and brings all those flavors together beautifully. Taste and adjust the salt and pepper before serving. Sometimes it needs a little extra kick!

Variations for Your Italian Antipasto Pasta Salad

The best part about this is how easy it is to change things up! Want more cheese? Add some cubed provolone or shave some Parmesan over the top. For extra veggies, toss in some marinated artichoke hearts or roasted red peppers.

You could also add some protein power with grilled chicken or chickpeas. If you like things spicy, a pinch of red pepper flakes or some sliced pepperoncini works wonders. Feel free to get creative and make it your own perfect salad!

Frequently Asked Questions About Italian Antipasto Pasta Salad

Got questions about making this ? Here are some common ones I hear:

Can I make this pasta salad ahead of time?

Absolutely! This salad is even better when made ahead. The flavors really meld as it chills. Just give it a good stir before serving.

How long does Italian Antipasto Pasta Salad last in the fridge?

You can keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 3-4 days. It s a great option for easy lunches!

Can I use a different kind of dressing?

Yes! While Italian dressing is classic for this antipasto pasta salad, a balsamic vinaigrette or even a simple lemon and olive oil dressing would be delicious.

Is this salad gluten-free?

You can easily make this a gluten-free pasta salad by using your favorite gluten-free pasta. All the other ingredients are naturally gluten-free.

Serving and Storing Your Italian Antipasto Pasta Salad

Once your has had a chance to chill, it s ready to go! I like serving it cold, straight from the fridge. It s fantastic as a side dish for grilled meats or chicken, or even as a light main course on a warm day.

If you have any leftovers, just pop them in an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 days. No need to reheat this one; it s meant to be enjoyed cold!

Estimated Nutritional Information

Just a quick note about the nutritional stuff for this . The values you see are just estimates. Things like the specific brand of pasta, salami, or dressing you use can change the numbers. I haven t provided precise nutritional data here, as it really does vary quite a bit. This info is just to give you a general idea.

Share Your Italian Antipasto Pasta Salad

I really hope you give this a try! If you do, I would just love to hear about it. Come back and leave a comment below to tell me what you thought.

Did you make any fun substitutions? How did your family like it? Don t forget to rate the recipe too! You can also share pictures of your creation on social media. Happy cooking, friends!