The Best Pasta Salad Recipe
This hearty pasta salad is fresh, colorful and delicious. Made with pasta, fresh vegetables, cheese cubes, salami and a herby dressing. If you are looking for an easy and filling salad recipe that is also super satisfying and delicious, this recipe is for you.
Every family has that go-to dish that brings them around the table, and in our home, it’s this bright and hearty Pasta Salad bowl. It is one of those recipes that have come down through time, refining over the years to find that perfect balance of freshness, zing, and savory. This perfect pasta salad can very easily be made for an easy weeknight dinner or for a summer picnic brunch.
Why you’ll love this pasta salad recipe
- Easy to make – It’s super easy to assemble, perfect for busy weeknights or quick lunches.
- Customizable – Make it your own by using your favorite veggies and toppings.
- Crowd Pleaser – Pasta salad is perfect for barbecues and gatherings because it’s a perfect crowd please for both kids and adult alike.
- Make Ahead – One of the best features of pasta salad is that it’s the best make ahead dish, as it’s best served cold or room temperature.
- Balanced Meal – In one bowl, you’ll have nutrients, fibers, carbs, and proteins, for a delicious and balanced meal.
How to Make The Best Pasta Salad
Watch the full video recipe to learn how to make the best pasta salad recipe. This step-by-step tutorial simplifies the process, offering tips and tricks to guarantee perfect results every time.
Prefer the written recipe? Scroll down to the recipe box 👇
Ingredient Notes
Here’s what you’ll need to make this bowtie pasta salad:
- Pasta: Serves as the hearty base, providing a satisfying chew and substance to the salad. You can u
- Baby cucumbers and Bell pepper: These crisp vegetables add a refreshing crunch and a pop of color.
- Cherry tomatoes: Sweet and juicy, they introduce a burst of freshness in every bite.
- Red onion: Adds a slight sharpness and depth of flavor, enhancing the overall taste profile.
- Mozzarella: Offers a creamy texture and mild taste that balances the stronger flavors.
- Salami: Introduces a salty, meaty element, making the salad more filling and flavorful.
- Parsley: Fresh parsley brightens the dish and adds a hint of earthiness.
- Vinegar and Olive oil: The foundational components of the dressing, providing acidity and smoothness.
- Seasonings (Salt, Pepper, Oregano, Garlic, Mustard): These enhance the salad’s flavor, bringing warmth, spice, and complexity.
This is just a short review of the ingredients; for the complete recipe, including quantities, scroll down to the recipe card 👇
Substitutions and Variations
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free pasta and make sure all your toppings as well are gluten-free.
- Vegan: Substitute the cheese with plant-based cheese and replace the salami with chickpeas or tofu.
- Different Pasta: You can use any pasta shape you prefer. Short pasta like penne, fusilli, or rotini are great options as they hold the dressing well and are easy to eat.
- More Vegetables: Vegetables like cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, and red onions for crunch and color.
- More Proteins: Proteins like cooked chicken, ham, salami, or chickpeas to make the salad more filling.
- Cheesy: Add more cheese such as feta, mozzarella, or cheddar for a creamy texture.
- Herby: Add more fresh herbs like parsley, basil, or dill for added freshness and flavor.
- More Toppings: Olives, capers, or pickles for a bit of tang. Or nuts and seeds for a crunchy texture.
Tips and Tricks
Making a delicious pasta salad that stands out at any table involves a few key tips and techniques. Here are some expert tips to help you craft the perfect pasta salad:
- Choose the Right Pasta: Select pasta shapes that have plenty of nooks and crannies to hold onto the dressing, such as fusilli, rotini, or farfalle.
- Cook Pasta Properly: Boil your pasta in salted water until it’s just al dente. Overcooked pasta becomes mushy and may fall apart when mixed with other ingredients. After draining, rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and to keep the pasta from sticking together.
- Season Generously: Pasta can be quite bland, so make sure to season your cooking water well with salt. It’s also a good idea to season the pasta with a bit of salt and pepper once it’s cooled, before adding the other ingredients.
- Use Fresh Vegetables: The crunch and color of fresh vegetables not only add to the visual appeal but also provide a refreshing contrast to the soft pasta. Dice or slice your veggies uniformly for even distribution throughout the salad.
- Add a Protein: Incorporate a protein like diced chicken, salami, chickpeas, or tofu to turn your pasta salad into a satisfying meal.
- Get Creative with the Dressing: A good dressing can make or break your pasta salad. Whether it’s a creamy dressing or a vinaigrette, ensure its flavorful and balanced. You might also consider adding fresh herbs, spices, or aromatic ingredients like garlic and mustard to enhance the dressing.
- Balance the Textures: Include a variety of textures by adding different ingredients such as nuts for crunch, soft cheeses like feta or goat cheese for creaminess, and crisp veggies for freshness.
- Serve at the Right Temperature: While pasta salad can be served cold, letting it come to near room temperature before serving can enhance the flavors and make the pasta texture more pleasing.
Best Served With
Pasta salad is a versatile dish that pairs well with a variety of foods, making it perfect for potlucks, picnics, or as a side dish during a meal.
- Grilled Meats: Grilled chicken, steak, or sausages are excellent partners for pasta salad. The smoky flavor of the meat contrasts nicely with the freshness of the salad.
- Seafood: Grilled or baked fish, shrimp, or scallops add a light, flavorful element that matches well with the typically vibrant and tangy notes of a pasta salad.
- BBQ Foods: Pasta salad is a classic side dish at barbecues, complementing everything from ribs to burgers, and barbecue chicken.
- Stuffed Bell Peppers: Offering a stuffed bell pepper alongside pasta salad creates a visually appealing and satisfying meal.
- Cheese Platter: A selection of cheeses, alongside some fruits and nuts, can round out a meal that includes pasta salad, catering to different tastes and textures.
- Cocktails: This easy pasta salad pairs well with many cocktails, such as Sangria, Moscow Mule, and Mojito.
Why does pasta salad taste better the next day?
Pasta salad often tastes better the next day because the flavors have more time to meld together. As the salad sits in the fridge, the pasta and other ingredients absorb the dressing and the flavors of each component. This enhances the overall taste, making the salad more flavorful and cohesive when served the next day. That’s why pasta salad is the perfect make-ahead meal.
What to Do With Leftover Pasta
If you bought pasta in bulk and don’t know what to do with the leftover pasta, here are some of our favorite pasta recipes:
How to Store Pasta Salad
Store this pasta salad in an airtight container, for up to 3-5 days. Freezing is not recommended. Take out from the fridge 30 minutes before serving for the optimal temperature.
More Hearty Salads Recipes
If you enjoy this perfect pasta salad recipe, you will surely enjoy some of our other fabulous salad recipes that are sure to complement your great meal!
The Best Pasta Salad Recipe
Ingredients
For the salad:
- 10.5 oz (300 g) Pasta cooked
- 5-6 Baby cucumbers or 2 regular cucumbers
- 1 Bell pepper chopped
- 7 oz (200 g) Cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 Red onion sliced
- 7 oz (200 g) Mozzarella
- 2 oz (60 g) Salami chopped
- 2 tablespoons Parsley chopped
For the dressing:
- 2 tablespoons Vinegar
- ¼ cup (60 ml) Olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon Oregano
- 1 clove Garlic grated (optional)
- 1 teaspoon Mustard
Instructions
- Make the Salad: Fill a large pot with water, add 1 tablespoon of salt and bring to a boil. When boiling, add the pasta and cook according to package instructions. Drain, add 1 tablespoons of oil and toss to combine. Set aside.
- Add the pasta to a large bowl. Chop the veggies and add to the bowl. Cut the cheese into cubes and add to the bowl. Chop the salami into and add to the bowl.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl whisk all dressing ingredients. Pour over the salad and mix well. Serve and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Make-Ahead & Storage Tips – Store this pasta salad in an airtight container, for up to 3-5 days. Freezing is not recommended. Take out from the fridge 30 minutes before serving for the optimal temperature.
- Choose the Right Pasta: Select pasta shapes that have plenty of nooks and crannies to hold onto the dressing, such as fusilli, rotini, or farfalle.
- Cook Pasta Properly: Boil your pasta in salted water until it’s just al dente. Overcooked pasta becomes mushy and may fall apart when mixed with other ingredients. After draining, rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and to keep the pasta from sticking together.
- Season Generously: Pasta can be quite bland, so make sure to season your cooking water well with salt. It’s also a good idea to season the pasta with a bit of salt and pepper once it’s cooled, before adding the other ingredients.
- Use Fresh Vegetables: The crunch and color of fresh vegetables not only add to the visual appeal but also provide a refreshing contrast to the soft pasta. Dice or slice your veggies uniformly for even distribution throughout the salad.
- Add a Protein: Incorporate a protein like diced chicken, salami, chickpeas, or tofu to turn your pasta salad into a satisfying meal.
- Get Creative with the Dressing: A good dressing can make or break your pasta salad. Whether it’s a creamy dressing or a vinaigrette, ensure its flavorful and balanced. You might also consider adding fresh herbs, spices, or aromatic ingredients like garlic and mustard to enhance the dressing.
- Balance the Textures: Include a variety of textures by adding different ingredients such as nuts for crunch, soft cheeses like feta or goat cheese for creaminess, and crisp veggies for freshness.
- Serve at the Right Temperature: While pasta salad can be served cold, letting it come to near room temperature before serving can enhance the flavors and make the pasta texture more pleasing.
- Watch the Video Recipe – For a better understanding of the recipe, I recommend watching the step-by-step video tutorial. It will guide you through the cooking, and assembly of the recipe to help you achieve the best results.
- Check the FAQs – If you have any questions about ingredient substitutions, cooking methods, or storage tips, be sure to check the FAQs section located under the recipe card and the post above.
Nutrition
Common Questions
For pasta salad, it’s better to rinse the pasta in cold water after cooking. This stops the cooking process, helps cool the pasta quickly, and prevents it from sticking together. Rinsing in cold water is particularly useful because pasta salad is typically served cold or at room temperature.
Yes, it’s a good idea to let the pasta cool before mixing it with the other salad ingredients. This helps maintain the integrity of the vegetables and other add-ins, preventing them from wilting or cooking from the heat of the pasta. Cooling the pasta also ensures that the dressing adheres better, enhancing the flavor.
To keep pasta from drying out, especially when making pasta salad, ensure that it is slightly moist when you mix it with other ingredients. You can toss the pasta with a little olive oil or some of the dressing immediately after rinsing it. This not only adds flavor but also creates a barrier that helps retain moisture.
I love this pasta salad combo, all my fav ingredients in one bowl, plus I love the use of bowtoe pasta.