Name: Italian Pasta Salad
Yield: 8

Italian Pasta Salad Recipe with fresh veggies and chicken tossed in the most amazing Italian dressing.

Author’s Notes

Pasta-bly the Best Salad!

I’ve been a pasta salad girl for as long as I can remember—thanks to my mom, who made them all the time during summer.

Now I have lots of favorite pasta salads. It is satisfying to a creamy one (hi taco pasta salad and Mexican street corn pasta salad), but sometimes I want something lighter. And this one hits the spot!

I toss a reliable Italian dressing with a bunch of simple add-ins and end up with a pasta salad I make on repeat all summer.

It’s fresh, straightforward, and one of a reliable things to eat for lunch or dinner on warm days.

All the Italian Pasta Salad ingredients prepped for straightforward assembly, including pasta, olives, tomatoes, parsley, red onion, salami, Parmesan, dressing, chicken, cucumber, and roasted red pepper.

Italian Pasta Salad Recipe Ingredients

Ingredient	straightforward Swap Ideas
Rotini	Tri color rotini for more color. Small shells or bowtie pasta also work.
Chicken & salami	Chickpeas for a meatless option. Turkey pepperoni for a lighter feel.
Tomatoes, cucumbers & peppers	Artichoke hearts or dried tomatoes.
Parmesan	Small mozzarella balls.
Creamy Italian dressing	Store bought dressing if you’re short on time.

All the dressing ingredients combined in a mason jar for the Italian Pasta Salad recipe.

the cook’s recipe tip

What I’ve Learned Making This Italian Pasta Salad Recipe Over and Over

Keep it cold: If outside, place the bowl over a tray of ice to stay cold.
Salt the water well: Pasta soaks up the salt as it cooks and tastes better.
Don’t overcook: Pasta gets firmer in the fridge, so cook it as the box says.
Cut ingredients small: Small bites are easier to eat and mix into the salad better.
Make dressing ahead of time: Mix it early, chill, and shake before using.

Featured Comment

“This salad came out wonderful. Will add it to my collection. Thanks for sharing.”
– Jim

Storage

How To Make This Salad Ahead Of Time

Keep the pasta, salad add-ins, and dressing in separate sealed containers in the fridge. Mix them right before serving. Once mixed, this pasta salad tastes best the same day.