Easy Homemade Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing

This homemade pasta salad with Italian Dressing is bursting with bold, fresh flavor and guaranteed to wow at any gathering. It’s a versatile, make-ahead pasta salad, bursting with color, texture, and classic Mediterranean flavors, and it comes together in under 30 minutes. The key ingredients of this Italian Pasta Salad deliver big with savory salami, spicy pepperoni, creamy mozzarella pearls, and a tangy homemade dressing that will have everyone coming back for more!

This pasta salad with Italian dressing is just one of those things that makes you go Mmmm! Your eyes inadvertently roll back while your taste buds perk up to see what all the fuss is about, and everything around you melts away as you savor the intense flavor.

There are a dime a dozen of pasta salad recipes, but it’s the one recipe perfect for hosting a barbecue, packing lunches, or prepping ahead for the week. This crowd-pleasing pasta salad has bright colors and textures, totally customizable and even you’ll never tire of serving it over and over again!

If you're fan of pasta salad like me, do check my most popular 4 ingredient pasta salad recipe!

Why This Recipe Works

Easy Homemade Dressing-Homemade dressing is the secret to a next-level pasta salads. A real salad dressing balances acid, fat, and umami. So I’m combining red wine vinegar, lemon juice, olive oil, herbs, and freshly grated Parmesan for a sharp, complex flavor that coats every bite.

Flavor-Packed Ingredients-A mixture of deli meats, pickled pepperoncini, juicy cherry tomatoes, briny olives, and sweet bell peppers makes flavorful-forkful pops. And creamy mozzarella pearls add the perfect finishing touch.

Customizable-You’ll find versatile variation suggestions for this recipe, like proteins, veggies, and even international twists. You can easily adapt it to your taste, dietary needs, or what’s in your pantry.

Make-Ahead Friendly-This salad holds dressing beautifully for up to 24 hours and tastes even better until the next day and maintaining flavors and preserving freshness.

Ingredients for Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing

Pasta Salad

This pasta salad is all about simple ingredients; no hard-to-find items or fancy prep are needed. Here’s a quick breakdown of what you’ll need:

Rotini Pasta

Twisty, spiral-shaped pasta is perfect because its twists are ideal to grab onto the dressing, but other short pasta shapes like fusilli or penne also work well.

Genoa Salami

This deli classic brings a rich, garlicky flavor with a hint of spice. It is seasoned with salt, black and white pepper, and red or white wine. You’ll mostly find it pre-packaged form, but you can swap it with any flavorful cured salami.

Pepperoni

Pepperoni adds a bold, savory kick and a touch of smokiness that make a beautiful contrast with the salami. It’s spiced with paprika, chili flakes, garlic, and fennel seed.

Pro Tip: Grab a stick from the deli and slice it yourself for the freshest flavour.

Cherry Tomatoes

Cherry tomatoes are small but mighty bursts of sweetness. They hold their shape well in your salad and don’t water down the salad like larger tomatoes sometimes do.

Bell Peppers

I use a combo of green and yellow bell peppers to add color, crunch, and it creates the perfect balance to the salad.

Red Onion

Using just half of a red onion goes a long way in adding a mild sharpness. If you’re not a huge fan of raw onion, soak slices in cold water for 10 minutes to smooth the bite.

Black Olives

Black olives bring a salty, saltish flavour that complements the creamy cheese and tangy dressing. Olives stay firmer in this pasta salad with Italian dressing.

Pepperoncini

Pepperoncini is a must-have ingredient if you love a bold, tangy kick. These mild chili peppers add just the right amount of heat and brightness. They are easily available in jars near the pickles or sandwich toppings at your grocery store.

Mozzarella Pearls

Creamy, soft, and slightly salty, little cheese balls are made for pasta salad. Or you can easily chop fresh mozzarella into bite-sized pieces.

Parmesan & Parsley

A generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan gives the salad a nutty, salty depth, while chopped fresh parsley adds color and a perfect herbal note for the final touch.

Homemade Italian Dressing

• Extra virgin olive oil – Use a high-quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor
• Red wine vinegar & vinegar – Bring bright acidity with citrus lift
• Parmesan cheese – Finely grated so it dissolves into the dressing
• Sugar – A small touch to balance the acidity
• Seasonings – Dried oregano, basil, parsley, paprika, garlic and onion powder, salt & pepper

Directions to make Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing

Cook the Pasta

Boil rotini the pasta in generously salted water until al dente or according to package instructions. Drain excess water and rinse it under cold water to stop cooking. Once pasta is entirely drained, transfer it to a large bowl.

Add Half the Dressing

While the pasta is still slightly warm, toss it with half of the dressing. It helps the flavors absorb better and prevents pasta from sticking.

Add Remaining Ingredients & Refrigerate

Mix in the salami, pepperoni, vegetables, olives, and mozzarella. Toss them all gently to combine. Lastly, cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 30–60 minutes to allow the flavors to mix equally.

Serving

Drizzle the chilled pasta salad with the remaining dressing, and toss it for one more time. Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan for a fresh, vibrant finish, and now pasta salad with Italian dressing is ready to server!

Make-Ahead & Storage Tips

• You can fully or half assemble the salad with only half the dressing up to 24 hours in advance.
• Keep the remaining dressing separate to avoid soggy pasta, but you can use it when it is ready to serve.
• Store pasta salad in air airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Adding a splash of olive oil or lemon juice makes it refresh as needed.

Expert Tips for Success for Pasta Salad with Italian Dressings

• Cook pasta al dente; a slightly firm pasta holds up better to dressing and storage.
• Use freshly-grated Parmesan cheese blend properly in the dressing.
• Letting the salad chill before serving in the fridge enhances flavor and texture.
• Reserving some dressing and adding it for later serving keeps the salad moist and flavorful.

Variations & Customizations

You can make it your own with these ideas:

• If you are a protein lover, you can mix up your pasta salad with turkey pepperoni, ham, grilled chicken, cooked sausage, canned tuna, or even shrimp instead of salami and pepperoni.
• For a vegetarian version, add marinated artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, chickpeas, or flavorful tofu.
• In this versatile pasta salad, add anything from your favorites, like chopped mushrooms, zucchini, cucumber, green beans, or peas.
• Try roasted zucchini, eggplant, and sun-dried tomatoes, roasted bell peppers for, simple, enhanced flavor.
• Add diced jalapeños or sprinkle in red pepper flakes for a fiery kick.
• Gluten-intolerant intolerants can use gluten-free pasta.
• Switch black olives for Kalamata, cucumbers instead of green bell peppers, and crumbled feta for a Mediterranean touch.
• Replace the meat with extra mozzarella pearls and fresh basil leaves for a light, classic flavor.
• You can also stir in a few spoonfuls of mayo and sour cream for a rich, creamy finish.

What to Serve With This Salad

This pasta salad is hearty enough to be a standalone meal, but it also pairs perfectly with:

• Grilled chicken or steak
• Burgers or sausages
• BBQ ribs
• Roasted vegetables
• Garlic bread

Final Thoughts

In this Pasta Salad with Italian dressing hits every note hits: tangy, savory, creamy, and fresh. It’s a homemade dressing, and with customizable ingredients, it’s an easy go-to for entertaining or everyday meals. This pasta salad is simple to prep, with a prep-ahead option, which tastes even better the next day. Hence, this is one salad that lives up to the hype, no over-the-top claims necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions