If you’re looking for a fresh, flavorful, and crowd-pleasing side dish, this Italian Pasta Salad with Salami is the perfect recipe to make. Packed with tender pasta, savory salami, crisp vegetables, mozzarella, olives, and zesty Italian dressing, this easy cold pasta salad is ideal for summer cookouts, potlucks, BBQs, meal prep, and family dinners. It’s colorful, hearty, and loaded with classic Italian-inspired flavors in every bite.
One of the best things about this easy Italian pasta salad recipe is how simple it is to throw together. You can make it ahead of time, store it in the fridge, and serve it chilled whenever you need a quick and satisfying dish. Whether you’re planning a picnic, preparing lunch for the week, or bringing a side to a gathering, this pasta salad is always a reliable favorite.
This cold pasta salad with salami is also incredibly versatile. You can customize it with your favorite ingredients like pepperoni, provolone, artichoke hearts, cucumbers, bell peppers, or extra herbs to make it your own. It works as both a side dish and a light main course, making it one of those go-to recipes you’ll want to keep on repeat all year long.
If you love easy pasta salad recipes with Italian dressing, this one checks all the boxes—bold flavor, simple prep, and great make-ahead convenience. It’s the kind of dish that tastes even better after chilling, which makes it perfect for entertaining or busy weeknights. Once you try this Italian Pasta Salad with Salami, it’s sure to become a staple in your recipe rotation.
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Italian Pasta Salad with Salami
This Italian Pasta Salad with Salami is a bold, colorful, and crowd-pleasing cold pasta salad packed with salami, crisp vegetables, mozzarella, olives, and a zesty homemade Italian dressing. It’s perfect for potlucks, BBQs, picnics, meal prep, or easy summer dinners.
Loaded with classic deli-style flavors, this pasta salad is savory, tangy, fresh, and satisfying. It’s easy to make ahead, holds up well in the fridge, and tastes even better after chilling.
- Total Time: 0 minutes (+ chilling time optional)
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Ingredients
For the Pasta Salad
12 oz rotini pasta (or bowtie, penne, or fusilli)
5 oz salami, sliced into strips or halved rounds
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup cucumber, diced
1 cup red bell pepper, diced
1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
1 cup black olives, sliced
1 cup mini mozzarella balls (or cubed mozzarella)
1/2 cup pepperoncini, sliced
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
For the Italian Dressing
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon sugar or honey (optional, to balance acidity)
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking and cool it down.
Make the DressingIn a jar or bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, sugar (if using), and red pepper flakes until well combined.
Prep the Mix-InsWhile the pasta cools, chop the salami, tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, onion, olives, mozzarella, pepperoncini, and parsley.
Assemble the SaladIn a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, salami, vegetables, olives, mozzarella, pepperoncini, Parmesan, and parsley.
Toss with DressingPour the dressing over the salad and toss until everything is evenly coated.
Chill and ServeServe immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes to 2 hours for even better flavor. Toss again before serving and garnish with extra Parmesan or parsley if desired.
Notes
Cooking Tips
- Salt your pasta water well for the best flavor.
- Cook pasta just to al dente so it doesn’t get mushy after chilling.
- Rinse pasta with cold water to cool it quickly and prevent sticking.
- Dress it while slightly cool so the pasta absorbs more flavor.
- If the salad seems dry after chilling, add a small splash of olive oil or extra dressing before serving.
- Use thick-cut deli salami for a heartier bite and better texture.
- For best flavor, let the salad chill for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- Add delicate ingredients like fresh herbs just before serving for the freshest taste.
Variations
1. Add More Meat
Include pepperoni, prosciutto, ham, or grilled chicken for extra protein and flavor.
2. Make It Spicy
Use hot salami, spicy pepperoncini, or extra red pepper flakes.
3. Use Cheese Cubes
Swap mini mozzarella balls for cubed provolone, cheddar, or fontina.
4. Add More Veggies
Try artichoke hearts, broccoli florets, spinach, roasted red peppers, or sun-dried tomatoes.
5. Use Store-Bought Dressing
Short on time? Use your favorite zesty Italian dressing instead of homemade.
6. Make It Gluten-Free
Use your favorite gluten-free pasta.
7. Make It Low-Carb Inspired
Use chickpea pasta or a reduced-carb pasta option for a more protein-packed twist.
8. Turn It Into a Meal
Add grilled chicken, chickpeas, or white beans to make it more filling.
9. Swap the Pasta Shape
Rotini works great, but bowtie, penne, shells, or cavatappi all hold dressing well.
10. Fresh Herb Upgrade
Add fresh basil or oregano for even more Italian-inspired flavor.
Storage Instructions
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Stir before serving since the dressing may settle.
- If needed, refresh leftovers with a little olive oil or extra dressing.
- Not ideal for freezing, as the pasta and vegetables can lose texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 28mg
