Zesty Italian Pasta Salad

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

Get ready for your next BBQ or picnic! This Zesty Italian Pasta Salad is literally the easiest pasta salad you can make. It's one of the most classic sides for burgers, hot dogs, steak tips, or whatever else you're grilling up this summer.

Zesty Italian Pasta Salad in a clear bowl on a picnic table.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This classic pasta salad recipe has been my go-to BBQ side for many years now and is always a big hit. You are going to love how easy it is to make! It's simple, light, and is packed with flavor. It's perfect for a summer get together, but it's also great all year round! Serve it as a bbq side, weeknight dinner side dish, or even a light lunch.

Ingredients

Pasta: Almost any type of pasta will work well in this recipe. Choose one with plenty of nooks and crannies to grab onto the dressing. I prefer the Tri Color Rotini for the bright colors, however any rotini, ziti, macaroni, or bow-tie would be great. You can even swap out the pasta for a gluten-free pasta.
Bell Peppers: Red, yellow, or orange bell peppers are best for this recipe. They're much sweeter than green peppers.
Pepperoni: Chop up a pepperoni stick for this pasta salad. You could also use salami, or leave out the meat for a vegetarian option.
Mozzarella: One ball of fresh mozzarella is all you need here. Chop it up into ½ inch pieces, or use the mini mozzarella balls and cut them in half.
Dressing: I love a Zesty Italian Dressing on this Pasta Salad. Use bottled dressing (I used Kraft Zesty Italian for this one) or make a homemade Italian dressing.

How to Make this Easy Italian Pasta Salad

You won't believe how simple it is to make this salad.

First, cook the pasta according to package directions. Make sure to salt your water to flavor the pasta! Next, bring the pasta to room temperature or cooler so it doesn't melt the cheese when mixing the ingredients. Finally in a large bowl toss the pasta with all other ingredients.

Serve immediately or refrigerate for an hour or so to let all those flavors sink into the pasta. Enjoy!

Variations

The best thing about this Italian Pasta salad is how customizable it is. You can swap out or add any of these ingredients.

Black olives
Chopped roma tomatoes or halved Cherry Tomatoes
Diced or sliced red onion
Diced cucumber
Chopped salami
Chopped artichokes
Spinach
Substitute the pasta for Gluten-Free Pasta

Zesty Italian Pasta Salad on a blue placemat with a wooden serving spoon.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

Can I make pasta salad ahead of time?

Yes! You can make pasta salad ahead of time. Simply make the salad, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The pasta may soak up the dressing, so simply add a little more dressing onto the salad before serving, then toss to combine.

More Cookout Side Dishes

If you like this pasta salad recipe, then you'll love these other cookout side dishes!

Zesty Italian Pasta Salad

Author: Nicole | Fresh Apron
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Category: Side Dishes
Method: Boil
Cuisine: American

Print Recipe

Description

Get ready for your next BBQ! This Zesty Italian Pasta Salad is literally the easiest pasta salad you can make. It's a classic side for some burgers, hot dogs, steak tips, or whatever else you're grilling up this summer.

Ingredients

Scale

12 ounces tri color rotini
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
6 ounce pepperoni stick, chopped
8 ounce mozzarella ball, chopped in ½ inch pieces
1 cup zesty italian dressing

Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions, cooking just past al dente. Drain pasta and rinse under cold water for a minutes or two to bring to room temperature, or cooler.
In a large bowl, mix the pasta with all other ingredients and toss to combine.
Serve immediately or refrigerate at least 1 hour for flavors to sink into the pasta.