When it comes to easy, crowd-pleasing summer recipes, nothing shines quite like a Classic Pasta Salad. Packed with vibrant vegetables, a generous handful of cheese, zesty pepperoni, and a bold homemade vinaigrette, this dish is as colorful as it is delicious—and it’s the guaranteed first bowl to disappear at any potluck!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Unbeatable Flavor Combo: Every bite balances savory pepperoni, creamy mozzarella, fresh veggies, and a garlicky homemade dressing.
- Meal Prep Magic: Classic Pasta Salad actually gets better as it chills, so it’s ideal for making ahead—hello, effortless entertaining!
- Crowd-Pleasing & Colorful: With tri-color pasta and bursts of fresh veggies, it’s as beautiful on a picnic table as it is delicious.
- Incredibly Versatile: Swap in your favorite mix-ins or dressing—whatever you have on hand, this salad’s ready to adapt!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The secret to a truly irresistible Classic Pasta Salad is a vibrant lineup of fresh, simple ingredients—each one bringing its own flavor, crunch, or richness to the mix. Here’s what you’ll need, and why every item matters!
- Tri-color rotini pasta: The spiral shape grabs onto dressing and add-ins, while the colors brighten up your bowl.
- Cherry tomatoes: Halved for juicy sweetness and beautiful pops of red.
- Sliced pepperoni: Adds savory, slightly spicy bites you’ll find yourself searching for.
- Red onion: Diced small for a gentle, aromatic bite that ties everything together.
- Green bell pepper: Fresh crunch and an extra punch of color in every forkful.
- Mozzarella cheese: Cubed for creamy, mild richness that balances the tangy dressing.
- Grated parmesan cheese: A salty, umami finish for depth and irresistible flavor.
- Olives (sliced): A tasty briny contrast—black or green, choose your favorite!
- Olive oil: Forms the backbone of our zesty vinaigrette.
- Red wine vinegar: Adds brightness and zing, perfectly balancing all the richness.
- Italian seasoning: That classic herby aroma and flavor everyone loves in pasta salad.
- Garlic powder: An easy way to give the dressing a deep, mellow garlic note without the bite of raw garlic.
- Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning everything just right.
- Red pepper flakes: Optional, but highly recommended for a subtle heat that makes your Classic Pasta Salad sing.
Variations
What I adore most about Classic Pasta Salad is how easy it is to customize. Tweak it for your pantry, fresh-from-the-market finds, or any dietary need—the possibilities are as endless as your creativity!
- Vegetarian Swap: Skip the pepperoni or substitute with chickpeas or marinated artichoke hearts for a hearty, satisfying twist.
- Gluten-Free: Use your favorite gluten-free pasta for an equally irresistible version.
- Dressing Change-Up: Try a bottled Italian or Greek vinaigrette, or swap in creamy ranch for a totally different vibe.
- Add More Veggies: Toss in blanched broccoli, roasted red peppers, or baby spinach for extra nutrition and color.
- Bite of Heat: Stir in diced banana peppers or a dash more red pepper flakes if you like things spicy.
How to Make Classic Pasta Salad
Step 1: Boil and Cool the Pasta
Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil and cook your tri-color rotini until just al dente, following package directions (don’t overcook!). Directly after draining, rinse the pasta with cold water until it’s room temperature—this stops the cooking, locks in color, and prevents sticking.
Step 2: Prep All the Mix-Ins
While the pasta cooks and cools, halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the onion and green bell pepper, slice the olives (if not pre-sliced), and cube the mozzarella. Measure out your pepperoni and parmesan so everything’s ready to assemble—mise en place makes all the difference here!
Step 3: Mix the Salad
In a huge mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta along with all your gorgeous mix-ins: cherry tomatoes, pepperoni, onion, bell pepper, mozzarella, parmesan, and olives. Gently toss to distribute everything evenly so you get a little bit of each magic in every bite.
Step 4: Whisk the Vinaigrette
Grab a small bowl and add olive oil, red wine vinegar, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Whisk until the dressing is luscious and fully combined—taste it and adjust seasoning if you like! Fresh, homemade dressing takes this Classic Pasta Salad over the top.
Step 5: Dress, Toss, and Chill
Pour the vinaigrette over your salad and toss thoroughly until everything is glistening and delicious. Pop the bowl in the fridge for at least an hour before serving—this lets the flavors mingle and the pasta soak up all those savory, herby notes.
Step 6: Serve with a Final Toss
If your Classic Pasta Salad has been chilling for a while, let it sit at room temperature for about 20–30 minutes and give it a gentle toss to redistribute the dressing—this brings back all the moisture and flavor right before digging in.
Pro Tips for Making Classic Pasta Salad
- Salting the Water: Don’t skimp on salt in your pasta water—it’s the key to tasty, well-seasoned noodles right from the start.
- Dressing Absorption: Pasta absorbs dressing as it sits, so if your salad seems dry later, just add a splash more olive oil and vinegar before serving.
- Cheese Matters: Use freshly cubed mozzarella for creamier bites and buy a wedge of parmesan to grate yourself—it’s so much more flavorful than the pre-shredded stuff!
- Serve at the Right Temperature: Let the salad warm slightly out of the fridge so the flavors bloom—straight-from-the-fridge pasta salad can taste muted.
How to Serve Classic Pasta Salad
Garnishes
A handful of freshly chopped parsley or basil scattered over the top just before serving brings wonderful color and an herbal freshness that makes your Classic Pasta Salad pop. If you’re a cheese lover, a light shower of extra grated parmesan on top never hurts!
Side Dishes
Classic Pasta Salad makes a stunning companion to grilled chicken, steak skewers, burgers, or roasted salmon. It’s also right at home alongside other summery faves like corn on the cob, watermelon slices, or crusty garlic bread for a potluck feast.
Creative Ways to Present
For an eye-catching presentation, serve the salad in a big, clear glass bowl to show off all those colorful layers. Or, portion it into individual Mason jars for grab-and-go picnics, or as a fun starter for dinner parties—so much more charming than a plain bowl!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Classic Pasta Salad keeps beautifully in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days. Just know that it tastes freshest within the first 24 hours when the pasta is still springy and the veggies are extra crisp.
Freezing
This isn’t an ideal candidate for freezing, as the veggies and cheese lose their texture and the dressing can separate. But honestly, it’s so delicious and versatile, you’ll probably find that leftovers never last that long anyway!
Reheating
No need to reheat Classic Pasta Salad—it’s best served cold or at room temp. If the salad looks a little dry after chilling, just toss with a drizzle of olive oil and vinegar to refresh before serving.
FAQs
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Can I make Classic Pasta Salad the night before?
Absolutely! In fact, Classic Pasta Salad benefits from some fridge time. Just cover tightly and refrigerate—if it looks a little dry the next day, add a splash of dressing and toss before serving.
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What’s the best pasta shape for Classic Pasta Salad?
Spirals like rotini or fusilli are perfect, since they trap the dressing and tiny pieces of veggies. Penne or bowties work well too—just be sure whatever you use is hearty enough to hold up to tossing.
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Can I use bottled Italian dressing instead of homemade?
Of course! While the homemade vinaigrette is super flavorful, bottled dressing is a time-saver and still delivers delicious results. Use your favorite brand and adjust the quantity to taste.
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How can I keep my pasta salad from getting mushy?
The secret is not to overcook your pasta—aim for just barely al dente. Rinsing the noodles under cold water immediately after cooking stops the process and preserves their perfect bite for your Classic Pasta Salad.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like sharing a giant bowl of Classic Pasta Salad with those you love—every forkful is a little celebration! If you haven’t made it yet, give it a go and watch your family and friends light up with every vibrant, zesty bite. Enjoy!
Print
Classic Pasta Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: About 3490 grams or 123 ounces (approximately 7.6 pounds) 1x
- Category: No-Cook
- Method: No-Cook
Description
This Classic Pasta Salad is a colorful and flavorful dish perfect for picnics, potlucks, or as a side for your favorite meal. Packed with tri-color rotini pasta, cherry tomatoes, pepperoni, mozzarella, and a zesty vinaigrette dressing, it’s sure to be a hit at any gathering.
Ingredients
Pasta Salad:
- 24 ounces tri-color rotini pasta, uncooked
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 12 ounces sliced pepperoni
- 1 red onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 16 ounces mozzarella cheese, cubed
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 8 ounces olives, sliced
Vinaigrette Dressing:
- 1 1/2 cups olive oil
- 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: In salted boiling water, cook pasta according to package directions for al dente pasta. Drain and rinse with cold water until pasta is room temperature. Place pasta in a large bowl.
- Prepare Salad: Add cherry tomatoes, pepperoni, onion, bell pepper, mozzarella, parmesan, and olives to the bowl. Set aside.
- Make Vinaigrette: In a separate bowl, combine olive oil, red wine vinegar, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Whisk to combine.
- Toss Salad: Pour vinaigrette over the pasta salad, then toss to coat. Refrigerate for 1 hour before serving.
- Serve: If the salad is very cold, allow it to warm up slightly at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before serving. Toss to redistribute the dressing.
Notes
- If the pasta salad looks dry, add a splash of olive oil and vinegar to moisten.
- Vinaigrette can be substituted with your favorite bottled Italian dressing.
- Leftovers will keep for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Best served within 24 hours for optimal flavor and texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 670mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
