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11
Apr
2024

Classic Italian Pasta Salad

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This Classic Italian Pasta Salad is so easy to make, but ALWAYS a favorite whenever I bring it to parties. Everyone always asks for the recipe and there is never any leftovers!

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!

pasta salad recipe in bowl with wooden spoon.

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)

ingredients for italian pasta salad on white surface in small bowls.

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. 

stainer filled with cooked pasta and broccoli.

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. 

chopped veggies and pepperoni in white bowl with pasta and broccoli.

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.

Pouring italian dressing into pasta salad with pepperoni and broccoli.

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.

bowl of italian pasta salad with wooden spoon for party.

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. 

plateful of pasta salad with broccoli, olives and pepperoni.

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.

Easy Italian Pasta Salad recipe in bowl with twirly pasta, bell peppers, olives and broccoli.

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!

pasta salad recipe in bowl with wooden spoon.
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4.98 from 34 votes

Classic Italian Pasta Salad

This Classic Italian Pasta Salad is a quick and easy side dish that's full of veggies and flavor!
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12
Calories: 291 kcal
Author: Shawn

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
US Customary - Metric

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
*Italian Salad Dressing - you can use store bought or my go-to dressing that's perfect for any pasta or salad...
  • 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
Combine the ingredients above in a mason jar and shake. Pour over pasta salad.

Nutrition

Calories: 291kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 667mg | Potassium: 214mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 438IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 1mg
Keywords: broccoli, Cucumber, Italian, olives, Pasta, pepperoni, Salad, sweet pepper
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?don't forget to share a picture and mention @iwashyoudry on Instagram or tag #iwashyoudry!

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About Shawn

Shawn is the Owner and Creator of I Wash You Dry. She loves to create and share simple, family-friendly recipes. Mom to 5 adorable children and dwells in the desert of Southern Utah.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. lisa

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply

  3. Lilly

    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.

    Reply

  5. Liis

    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.

    Reply

    • Breonna Brown

      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.

  6. Karen Friebolin

    I love the idea of cooking the broccoli for a few minutes with the pasta. I, also, add small cubes of mozzarella.

    Reply

  13. Libby Kushma

    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.

    Reply

  15. Valerie

    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!

    Reply

  16. Heather Olson

    I make the same pasta salad however if you want it top notch add suddenly salad seasoning and mini mozzarella balls

    Reply

    • Michelle K Drozdibob

      5 stars
      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!

  17. Dev Patel

    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

    Reply

  18. A Big Fan

    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.

    Reply

    • Shawn

      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.

  20. carrian cheney

    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!

    Reply

    • Shawn

      I know! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve made this salad. Just seemed right to share it here too! 🙂

  21. Meredith

    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

    Reply
4.98 from 34 votes (29 ratings without comment)

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