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Quick And Easy Italian Pasta Salad

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Whip up a quick and easy Italian pasta salad—perfect for summer barbecues, picnics, or a light and flavorful side dish everyone will love!

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Italian Pasta Salad

This delicious Italian pasta salad is a staple at our family barbecues. It is my dad’s absolute favorite, although he prefers it with black olives.

That is one of the things I love about this recipe. It is extremely versatile.

Change out the cheese, add salami instead of pepperoni, add pepperoncinis or artichoke hearts.

Whatever you like it will probably work.

I’m sharing this yummy salad for our final day of #BBQWeek. Be sure to read to the bottom of this post so you can see all of the other tasty barbecue recipes.

If you are also a fan of pasta salad recipes, check out my tortellini pasta salad and my Tuscan pasta salad.

Ingredients for the Pasta Salad

You will need the following ingredients listed below to make this pasta salad (the exact measurements, nutrition information and full recipe are all in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post).

  • Tri-Color Rotini – you can also use fusilli or cavatappi
  • Mozzarella Balls – halved
  • Pepperoni – quartered
  • Baby Spinach – you can also use kale
  • Cherry Tomatoes – halved
tomatoes cut in half
spinach in skillet

Ingredients for the Italian Dressing

  • Olive Oil
  • Red Wine Vinegar
  • Garlic
  • Italian Seasoning
  • Parsley
  • Red pepper Flakes
  • Kosher Salt
  • Black Pepper

How to Make Italian Pasta Salad

  • Toss the Ingredients: In a large bowl, toss together pasta, mozzarella, pepperoni, spinach and tomatoes.
  • Prepare the Dressing: Mix olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, Italian seasoning, parsley, and red pepper flakes in a lidded jar and shake to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Blend Together: Mix together the pasta with dressing.
  • Serve and enjoy!

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Let me know if you give this simple Italian pasta salad recipe a try. It really is a quick, easy and delicious salad.

Friday’s #BBQWeek Recipes

Welcome to #BBQWeek where we celebrate all things barbecue related! From slow cooked pulled pork to grilled chicken, salsa and sides, and delicious pies there’s a recipe that’s perfect for your summer cookout parties.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Have a great day!

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Italian Pasta Salad

Yield: 6-8 Servings
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 16 oz Tri-Color Rotini
  • 8 oz Mozzarella Pearls, halved
  • 4 oz Pepperoni, quartered
  • 2 cups Baby Spinach
  • 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes, halved

For the Dressing

  • 1/3 c. olive oil
  • 2 tbsp. red wine vinegar
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 2 tsp. Italian seasoning
  • 1 tbsp. freshly chopped parsley
  • Pinch red pepper flakes
  • Kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

    • In a large bowl, toss together pasta, mozzarella, pepperoni, spinach and tomatoes.
    • To make the dressing, mix olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, Italian seasoning, parsley, and red pepper flakes in a lidded jar and shake to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
    • Mix pasta with dressing and serve. 
    • Enjoy!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 332Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 36mgSodium: 448mgCarbohydrates: 20gFiber: 2gSugar: 1gProtein: 13g

Did you make this recipe?

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Quick And Easy Tuscan Tortellini Pasta Salad

Sunday 21st of July 2019

[…] may also want to check out this italian pasta salad and this collection of 7 summer […]

Claire Rocks

Friday 27th of July 2018

This is right up my street. quick, easy and tasty

Lynne

Friday 27th of July 2018

This recipe looks delicious, Michelle!! I can't wait to give it a try!

Amy

Wednesday 25th of July 2018

Congratulations on actually trying a recipe. I love your challenge to do that. This Italian pasta salad looks so good. Thank you for sharing on Waste Not Wednesday.

Erlene

Tuesday 24th of July 2018

This is a perfect salad for any summer barbecue. I haven't made an Italian pasta in ages, so if I make this, it'll be a nice change from he normal mac salad. Pinned.

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