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This easy pasta salad recipe is thrown together in minutes, offering a delicious, classic side perfect for BBQs, picnics, or a no-fuss weeknight meal.
We Love THIS Pasta Salad!
We love to BBQ and gather for dinner with friends. One of our go-to salad recipes is this pasta salad recipe that we’ve made our entire lives.
In fact, it’s such a favorite of the kids that one of the girls makes it at least every other week. We not only make it for BBQs and pool parties, but as a side dish for many dishes like: Hamburgers, Chicken Nuggets and Flat Iron Steak.
What’s to love:
- It’s simple! This easy side dish comes together in a cinch.
- Easy to customize. Change what you add to the recipe to add flavor and more. You can add other meat options, cheeses, or veggies.
- Make ahead option. Pasta salad recipes can easily be assembled several days in advance for any event or potluck.
Ingredients
PREP TIME: 15 minutes
CHILL TIME: 2 hours
- 16 ounces (4 cups) colored rotini pasta cooked – fusilli, farfalle, and penne will work as an alternative pasta shape.
- ½ cup diced black olives
- ½ cup cubed Colby Jack cheese – We usually add cheese cubes, but you can also add fresh mozzarella cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, or feta cheese.
- ½ cup mini pepperoni slices – ham cubes, grilled chicken, bacon, and salami also work well.
- ¾-1 cup Italian dressing – Make a homemade Italian salad dressing to go with it or use a bottle of store-bought Italian dressing.
- optional mix-ins – chopped cucumbers, halved grape tomatoes, chopped bell peppers, ham cubes, pepperoncini, artichoke hearts, red onion, or kalamata olives. To get a fork full of different flavors, chop your vegetables into bite-size pieces.
- optional fresh herbs – basil, oregano, or parsley can also enhance the flavors of this pasta salad.
How to Make Pasta Salad
- PASTA. Boil 16 ounces (4 cups) al dente pasta as directed on the package in a large pot. Drain and rinse with cold water.
- COMBINE. In a large bowl, combine cool pasta, ½ cup olives, ½ cup cubed cheese, and ½ cup pepperoni.
- DRESS. Pour at least half of ¾-1 cup Italian dressing into the pasta salad and mix well. Add any desired mix-ins to the pasta salad and mix well.
- CHILL. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Stir in additional dressing to taste before serving.
Complete the Meal
- Main dishes: Best Hamburger Recipe, Flat Iron Steak Recipe, Huli Huli Chicken
- Desserts: Easy No Bake Cheesecake, Peach Dump Cake, Moist Sour Cream Chocolate Cake
- More pasta salads: Greek Pasta Salad, Asian Pasta Salad, Chicken Pasta Salad
More collections: Pasta Salad Recipes, Easy Side Dishes, Summer Side Dishes
Pasta Salad Recipe
This easy pasta salad recipe takes minutes to make. It's a classic side dish, perfect for BBQs, picnics, or any night of the week!
Ingredients
- 16 ounces (4 cups) colored rotini pasta (fusilli, farfalle, and penne work too) cooked
- ½ cup diced black olives
- ½ cup cubed Colby Jack cheese
- ½ cup mini pepperoni slices
- ¾-1 cup Italian dressing
Optional Mix-Ins
- chopped cucumbers, halved grape tomatoes, chopped peppers, ham cubes, pepperoncini, artichoke hearts
Instructions
- Cook pasta as directed on the package. Drain and rinse with cold water.
- In a large bowl, combine cool pasta, olives, cheese, and pepperoni.
- Pour at least half of the Italian dressing into the pasta salad and mix well.
- Add any desired mix-ins to the pasta salad and mix well.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Stir in additional dressing to taste before serving.
Video
Notes
Make it ahead of time. Pasta salad is best when eaten right after adding the dressing. To make it ahead of time, store the dressing in a separate container, and toss it with the pasta salad before you serve/eat it.
STORE. Keep this pasta salad in an airtight container. Leftovers will last in the fridge for 5 to 7 days. You can have pasta salad for lunches and dinners all week!
FREEZE. We do not recommend freezing pasta salad.
Nutrition
Serving: 1g, Calories: 344kcal, Carbohydrates: 46g, Protein: 11g, Fat: 13g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 15mg, Sodium: 515mg, Potassium: 178mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 123IU, Vitamin C: 0.1mg, Calcium: 77mg, Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
How do I keep pasta salad from drying out?
- Keep the pasta from absorbing all of the dressing, only add ½ of the dressing when tossing it together so that all the flavors can meld, then add the remaining dressing right before serving.
Can I make pasta salad ahead of time?
- Pasta salad is best when eaten right after adding the dressing. To make it ahead of time, store the dressing in a separate container, and toss it with the pasta salad before you serve/eat it.
How to store leftover pasta salad?
- Keep this pasta salad in an airtight container in the fridge for 5 to 7 days. You can have classic pasta salad for lunches and dinners all week!
How to Freeze?
- We do not recommend freezing pasta salad.
Very good! Thank you!
You are so welcome!! Thank you for trying it!
This is my go-to salad for everything!! It is always a hit & gone so fast! And, I love how easy it is! The Italian dressing gives it a nice flavor!
This is my all time favorite pasta salad recipe. It’s super easy and so yummy.
Sometimes I like to use it as a main dish and put some parmesan chicken in the mix.
This looks really fresh and flavorful.
It is! I hope you try it soon!!
Wonderful recipe ! I love salads.
I love salads too!! This is one of my favorites! Thank you!
Do I see chopped tomato in your pasta salad? Have made your potato salad and I absolutely love it! Thanks for the great recipe.
I forgot to mention that! Sometimes I add chopped tomatoes and cucumbers. 😉 And I’m so glad you liked the potato salad – it’s our FAVORITE!!
Do you know about how much this recipe would serve?
I’ve never counted the servings, but I would guess about 10 or a little more. 😉
Someone I know makes something similar to this often, and I’ve been wanting the recipe! So easy and full of flavor. Thanks for sharing this. I’m still a newlywed and LOVE finding new recipes hubby will try! Planning to make soon for us. 🙂
You’re welcome, Hannah! Hope you like it (and that the hubby does too!). 😉
Thanks for all nice recipes.
This is so similar to the pasta salad that my in-laws have always made. It is simple but really can’t be beat. It is always a hit for both the adults and kids!
It’s definitely a hit for the adults and kids! Thanks for stopping by! 😀