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If the weather is warm, pasta salad is always on the menu and I cannot get enough of this Creamy Italian Pasta Salad!
I love having a pasta salad made for the week to have on hand for easy access when hunger strikes, but it is also the perfect side to summer grilling! Whether you are hosting the get-together or you need to bring a side dish to a friend’s house, pasta salad is always the answer.
In this recipe, I’ve pulled together all of my favorite Italian delights for a dish that is packed with flavor and deliciousness in every single bite.
Here’s What You’ll Need:
- Homemade Creamy Italian Dressing
- Rotini or Fussili Pasta (I love using tri-color for that classic pasta salad look)
- Red Bell Pepper
- Shallot
- Black Olice
- Salami
- Mozzarella
- Fresh Parsley
- Fresh Basil
Step One: Make the Creamy Italian Dressing
You’ll start by making the Creamy Italian Dressing I know you will love. While perfect in this pasta salad, it would also be great on a chopped salad, an Italian sandwich or even in this Italian Unwich — YUM.
Step Two: Assemble the Salad
Next, you’ll add the cooked pasta, and all of your other goodies to a large bowl. Pour the Creamy Italian Dressing into the bowl and toss until well combined. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve! It stores well in the fridge for 2 to 3 days, so it is great to make in advance when hosting so it it one less item on your to-do list.
I cannot wait to see this Creamy Italian Pasta Salad on your tables this summer! It will be the perfect addition to your warm-weather get-together!
for more pasta salad recipes:
Creamy Italian Pasta Salad
Green Goddess Pasta Salad
Grilled Antipasto Pasta Salad
Grilled Steak and Chimichurri Orzo Salad
Tangy Thai Shrimp and Noodle Salad
4.54 from 15 votes
Creamy Italian Pasta Salad
Total: 35 minutes mins
Servings: 8 to 10
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Ingredients
For the Creamy Italian Dressing:
- 1 cup homemade mayo
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 3 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper plus more for serving
- 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice about 1 ½ lemons
- 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
For the Pasta Salad:
- 12 ounces rotini or fusilli pasta cooked according to package directions (sub gluten-free pasta)
- 1 cup diced small red bell pepper about 1 small pepper
- ½ cup finely diced shallot about 1 large shallot
- ½ cup sliced black olives
- 1 cup diced hard uncured salami
- 1 cup diced mozzarella omit for dairy-free
- ¼ cup finely chopped parsley
- ½ cup thinly sliced basil leaves
- Kosher salt to taste
Instructions
Make the Creamy Italian Dressing:
In a blender or using an immersion blender in a wide-mouth jar, combine the mayo, mustard, garlic, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, lemon juice, and white wine vinegar. Blend until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
Assemble the Pasta Salad:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, bell pepper, shallot, olives, salami, mozzarella, parsley, and basil. Pour the Creamy Italian dressing over the pasta and toss until the pasta is very well coated and combined. Add salt to taste. Cover and refrigerate until just chilled.
Pasta salad stores well in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.
See AlsoHomemade Hawaiian Sweet Rolls
Notes
Prep Ahead Note: The pasta does tend to soak up the dressing once stored in the fridge for a day. If prepping ahead of time, I would suggest making the dressing but not tossing with the pasta and other ingredients until the day of the event or making some additional dressing to refresh the salad ahead of serving if it seems dry.
Nutrition
Calories: 485kcal, Carbohydrates: 38g, Protein: 13g, Fat: 31g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 14g, Monounsaturated Fat: 9g, Trans Fat: 0.1g, Cholesterol: 34mg, Sodium: 1032mg, Potassium: 303mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 1056IU, Vitamin C: 30mg, Calcium: 118mg, Iron: 2mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Author: Alex Snodgrass
Servings: 8 to 10
Calories: 485
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Photography byEat Love Eats.
Gluten-Free Pasta Recipes Sides
Welcome! I’m Alex.
I’m a food lover sharing healthy, simple, delicious, recipes from my kitchen to yours. Here you’ll find lots of Whole30, lots of healthy, and a little indulgence here and there because…it’s all about balance y’all!
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