This Classic Italian Pasta Salad is filled with twirly pasta, plenty of veggies, chopped pepperoni and a zippy Italian dressing.
I love this pasta salad recipe because it’s so easy to make and pairs perfectly with homemade Hamburgers, Grilled Chicken or Steak!
This easy pasta salad recipe is the perfect side dish to take to any potluck or summer party. It’s cool and refreshing and packed with goodies.
Classic Italian Pasta Salad Recipe
Whenever I bring this colorful pasta salad to a get together, it’s always the first thing gone.
Ingredients Needed
Here’s the basic list of ingredients you’ll need in order to make this Classic Italian Pasta Salad recipe. As always, you can find the full list of ingredients located in the printable recipe card below.
- Tri Colored Rotini Pasta – the three colored pasta makes this pasta salad stand out among the rest.
- Broccoli – you can swap out for a different veggie or leave out completely if you prefer.
- English Cucumber – the peels are softer and easier to eat.
- Red Bell Pepper – chopped
- Black Olives – sliced
- Pepperoni – chopped
- Purple Onion – gives the salad a nice pop of flavor
- Italian Dressing – you can use store bought, or my favorite go-to Italian dressing recipe (shared below)
How To Make Italian Pasta Salad
My quick Italian Pasta Salad recipe comes together really fast once you have all your ingredients prepped and ready to go.
BOIL PASTA
Start by cooking the pasta in boiling water, according to the package instructions. Just before the pasta is tender, add in the chopped broccoli to allow it to cook slightly.
PRO TIP: Cooking the broccoli like this will make it easier to digest and eat in the finished pasta salad.
COOL PASTA AND BROCCOLI
Run the cooked pasta and broccoli under cool water in a strainer to stop the cooking process and remove any excess starches. Set the cooled pasta and broccoli aside.
CHOP VEGGIES AND COMBINE
While the pasta is cooking, prepare all the chopped veggies to go into your pasta salad and place them in a large bowl.
PRO TIP: Make sure to chop your purple onion small so it’s not a big mouthful of raw onion in one bite.
ADD ITALIAN DRESSING
Once you have all the pasta salad ingredients in the large bowl, pour in the Italian dressing and toss to combine.
Cover and chill the pasta salad until you’re ready to serve. Make sure to toss one more time before serving.
Homemade Italian Salad Dressing
When I’m in a pinch for time, I’ll grab a bottle of Italian dressing from the store and use that for this pasta salad recipe. But when I really want to impress, I’ll make my own and it’s actually quite easy.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1/4 cup Red Wine Vinegar
- 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese (finely grated)
- 3 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp dried Oregano
- 1 tbsp freshly chopped curly leaf parsley
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
How To Mix Dressing
To make this Italian Dressing, simply combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and whisk together.
PRO TIP: I like to use a mason jar with a lid and give it a good shake, then use this handy dressing lid for pouring.
Recipe Tips and Variations
Pasta salad is a great way to clean out the fridge and use up any leftover veggies from the week.
You can really customize what goes in there, and truly make it your own. Here are a few recipe tips and variations for pasta salad that I think you will like.
- Use any leftover veggies from the fridge to add texture and variety to your pasta salad.
- Add cubed cheese or shredded cheese
- Toss in some grilled chicken to make it a full meal.
- Swap out the rotini pasta with your favorite small shape or use a variety of shapes.
How To Store Italian Pasta Salad
Pasta salad will typically last up to 3-5 days in the fridge when stored in an airtight container, making it a great option for making ahead of time.
If you decide to add cheese to the pasta salad, then the shelf life will be a little shorter.
More Pasta Salad Recipes
If there’s one dish that you can count on being widely accepted at potlucks and parties, it’s a cool pasta salad. I’ve got plenty of delicious, family friendly pasta salad recipes you’re sure to enjoy.
- Classic Macaroni Salad
- Olive Tortellini Pasta Salad
- Creamy Corn Pasta Salad
- Easy Shrimp Pasta Salad – a family favorite!
- Asparagus Pasta Salad
I can’t wait for you to give this Classic Italian Pasta Salad recipe a try! I know you’re going to love it as much as we do!
Classic Italian Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 1 lb. tri colored rotini pasta, uncooked
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 cup broccoli, cut into small pieces
- 1 ½ cups English cucumber, cut into half circles
- 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
- 6 oz black olives, sliced
- ½ cup purple onion, diced
- 1 cup pepperoni, sliced (quartered)
- 1 ½ cup Italian salad dressing, *see notes
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add the pasta and 1 tsp olive oil. Cook until the pasta is al dente, and then add the broccoli florets. Cook 2 more minutes and then stain pasta and broccoli in a colander and run cold water over it until the pasta and broccoli are cooled. Drain completely and set aside.
- In a large bowl combine the sliced cucumber, red bell pepper, olives, onion and pepperoni. Add in the pasta and broccoli and stir to combine. Pour in the dressing and toss to coat.
- Cover and store in the fridge until ready to serve (up to 4 hours ahead of time for best results). Stir again before serving. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, finely grated
- 3 tsp garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tbsp freshly chopped curly leaf parsley
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
I made this today and it us so good. I plan on making it for my daughter’s bridal shower in January. I’m also going to try your homemade dressing.
Hi Shawn! LOVED this recipe, only thing I added was mozzarella that I cut into tiny bite size pieces – love me some cheese!
I always tend to make way too much, of nearly everything I make, because I’m not someone who likes to measure. ♀️
Have you ever frozen pasta salad before? I have no idea if that’s a thing. I made this a week ago today and I made so much that my family of 5 still has so much left LOL
Good day Shawn. I do not use pepperoni and olives. What can I use as a substitute for the pepperoni and olives? I am planning to try this recipe this coming Sunday. What main would go well with this pasta salad?
I like to serve this with any grilled meats, burgers and hotdogs. 🙂
Hi Shawn, I’m looking for recipes all over the world, italian pasta salad is a new experience in my kitchen
Glad you enjoyed it Sandra!
Pasta Italianna i like this favorite meal, thanks for receipe and beuatiful pic
Thank you Ether! Enjoy!
Great recipes thank you my husband and I own an automotive shop i cook 4 days a week so i love your recipes keep them coming thank you.
Thanks Lisa! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the recipes!
I hope making this the day before I plan to serve it isn’t too bad!?
With the pasta, veggies, Italian dressing and Parmesan cheese I add green olives and black with cubed pepper jack cheese. I never use onions or pepperoni.
Pepper jack is a great idea to add!
Does anyone know how many servings are for this recipe. Thanks for your help☺
The recipe as currently published states that it makes 12 servings.
Hi,
For someone who doesn’t like olives at all what would you recommend as a substitute? If any? I’m going to do this salad for tomorrow and eat it during the home-alone weekend.
You could definitely skip the olives and try adding some cubed cheese!
Capers are a substitute. I make a nice tartar sauce that uses crushed capers and I didn’t have them in said substitute with green olives.
I love the idea of cooking the broccoli for a few minutes with the pasta. I, also, add small cubes of mozzarella.
This is now my go-to pasta salad recipe! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for your sharing.
Love easy salads like this!
Love pasta salads!!
Add a few chunks of cheddar cheese advots even bettet
Amazing mixed salad! so delicious….yummm…
How does this Pasta Salad hold up in the refrigerator? I’m thinking of making it ahead of time for a 4 day boating trip at Lake Powell and curious if it will be okay refrigerated for that long.
Parmesan Cheese is really good in this recipe,
What a great addition! Thanks for the tip! 🙂
I love the pepperoni and olive combination in this salad! A delicious Italian pasta salad. I did use the mozzarella suggested in your comments and it was perfect. Pasta salads are a favourite of mine to make in the summer.
I have a ham and pasta salad that is super tasty and has lots of vegetables.
http://doubletherecipe.com/2016/05/06/ham-pasta-salad/
Thanks for sharing a great recipe!
I make the same pasta salad however if you want it top notch add suddenly salad seasoning and mini mozzarella balls
Great additions! I love those little mozzarella balls! 🙂
Liz, making this the day before isn’t a problem. The only exception would be if you want to add small bits of cubed cheese. The cheese will get gummy/mushy, so if you want to add it in, do so right before serving!
I love pasta Salad. Italian pasta is very popular in India as well and most of the hotels serve the pasta. Thanks for sharing the recipe
Thanks Dev! 🙂
Shawn–I just wanted to say, I love your site and have been gleaning from it for quite a while. Lately I have been doing some new gleaning–for a blog that I co-write. I just wanted you to know that I have been adding your recipe links in my blogs. Just wanted you to know in case you get added traffic and are wondering. I will always link back to you directly. I am getting ready to feature a list of your recipes so I will send you that blog once finished.
I’m curious…what were the comments about your son’s poster?
Well, you know what?! No one said a thing! In fact, there were some other boys that made a poster and I kid you not, it looked almost identical! Made me feel better for letting the kids have creative control.
I love this pasta salad! I don’tn know why I’ve never posted it either, but some day I’ll have to do that and in the meantime pin yours for everyone to make!
I know! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve made this salad. Just seemed right to share it here too! 🙂
Do you have a good recipe for an Italian Dressing that would be good on this salad? I am making a cold-Italian-vegetable dish for a friend who is a soy and dairy allergy.m
I usually cheat and just use the bottle kind. I found this recipe for a homemade version for you, but it does have some Parmesan Cheese. I think it would be fine without it the cheese though. 🙂
http://sallysbakingaddiction.com/2016/01/11/homemade-italian-dressing/
I love pasta salads and trying new recipes. Fresh veggies an olives – sounds delicious.
Thanks Edda, you’ll love this one! 🙂