Zesty Italian Dressing Pasta Salad: The Ultimate Crowd-Pleasing Recipe
This bright, fresh, and flavorful pasta salad is a crowd-pleaser! The homemade Italian dressing is the star—readers rave that it’s “out of this world” and “the best they’ve ever had!” Packed with pepperoni, salami, mozzarella pearls, crisp bell peppers, and zesty pepperoncini, this salad is perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a quick weeknight meal.
- Prep Time: 35minutes
- Cook Time: 7minutes
- Total Time: 42minutes
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb. rotini pasta
- 3.5–4 oz. pepperoni, quartered (~¾ cup)
- 4 oz. sliced Genoa salami, quartered (~¾ cup)
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup black olives, drained & halved
- 1 orange bell pepper, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- ½ cup finely diced red onion
- 2 tbsp chopped pepperoncini
- 8 oz. fresh mozzarella pearls
- Parmesan & parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
1️⃣ Make the Dressing
- Prepare the Italian Dressing as directed. Refrigerate until ready to use, then shake well before tossing.
2️⃣ Cook the Pasta
- Boil pasta in salted water according to package directions (about 7 minutes). Drain and transfer to a large bowl.
3️⃣ First Dressing Toss
- Pour half of the dressing over the warm pasta and toss well. This helps the pasta absorb maximum flavor.
4️⃣ Add Mix-Ins
- Add pepperoni, salami, tomatoes, olives, bell peppers, red onion, pepperoncini, and mozzarella pearls. Gently toss.
5️⃣ Chill & Serve
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 24 hours).
- Before serving, toss with the remaining dressing and garnish with Parmesan & parsley.
Notes
- Make ahead! The flavors meld beautifully when chilled for at least 30 minutes (or up to 24 hours).
- Dress in two stages: Tossing half the dressing with warm pasta helps it absorb more flavor.
- Customize it: Add artichokes, cucumbers, or fresh basil for extra freshness.
Nutrition
- Calories: 350 kcal per serving
- Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 14g