Antipasto Pasta Salad

Antipasto Pasta Salad is loaded with salami, mozzarella, black olives, artichokes, pepperoncini peppers, and cherry tomatoes. Vibrant oil and vinegar dressing is the perfect finish for this Italian inspired pasta salad. 
5 from 3 votes
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some antipasto pasta salad on the wooden spoon next to the bowl.

I’ve always been a huge fan of antipasto spread so I created a pasta salad recipe to resemble all those yummy flavors. I make pasta salads all summer long, so needless to say, I need some variations to keep it fresh.

Wondering what is antipasto?

Antipasto is a traditional Italian dish that comes at the beginning of the meal. You will most often find ingredients like cured meats, cheeses, olives, pepperoncini, mushrooms, anchovies, artichoke hearts, and fresh garden vegetables. It is usually spread on a platter with a drizzle or a side of oil and vinegar.

labeled ingredients for antipasto pasta salad on the wooden background.
ingredients for antipasto pasta salad in metal mixing bowl before mixing.

Tips, Ingredients Substitutions and Recommendations

Homemade dressing vs store-bought: you can definitely buy a container of Balsamic Vinaigrette (or an Italian dressing) and make it nice and easy. Or, you can shake up a few ingredients in just a couple of minutes right at home and have it taste so much better! This homemade dressing recipe is SO simple and it uses inexpensive pantry staples that you may already have on hand. And remember, the better balsamic vinegar you get, the better the whole dish will taste.

Substituting Italian seasoning mix: Most Italian seasonings on the market have the same general mix of basil, oregano, rosemary, marjoram, and sage. I also like to add parsley and thyme. So grab as many of these herbs as you have in your pantry and mix them about 1/2 tsp each. (Although, I find rosemary a bit overwhelming so I add less rosemary than others.)

Need to make it gluten free? Simply use your favorite gluten free pasta. Remember, leftover gluten free pasta dries quicker so make sure to eat the leftovers within 1 day, or two at the most. You WILL need to add more dressing so make extra and store it separately! (Check the deli meats to make sure they are gluten free as well.)

adding balsamic herb dressing to the ingredients for the pasta salad in the bowl.
scooping out some antipasto pasta salad from a wooden bowl with a spoon.

Make Ahead and Storing Suggestions

Make ahead: You can definitely make pasta salad ahead of time just DO NOT mix it with dressing. You can mix all of the ingredients for the pasta salad and the mix ingredients for the dressing in a separate containers. Pasta tends to soak up oil and vinegar like a sponge so if you dress is ahead of time, the salad will be dry.

Storing: Store leftover pasta salad in an air-tight food storage container, in the refrigerator. Properly stored, it should last for 2-3 days. Pasta will soak up a lot of the dressing so you can always add more dressing when enjoying the leftovers.

Italian antipasto pasta salad in a wooden bowl with a wooden spoon and a towel.

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antipasto pasta salad in a wooden salad bowl with a wooden spoon.

Antipasto Pasta Salad Recipe

Antipasto Pasta Salad is loaded with salami, mozzarella, black olives, artichokes, pepperoncini peppers, and cherry tomatoes. Vibrant oil and vinegar dressing is the perfect finish for this Italian inspired pasta salad. 
5 from 3 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Refrigerate before serving: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 28 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 565kcal
Author: Lyuba Brooke

Ingredients

  • 1 lb rotini or fusilli
  • 2.25 oz sliced black olives drained
  • 1/2 cup chopped pepperoncini peppers can substitute banana peppers
  • 1 1/4 cup chopped cherry tomatoes
  • 8 oz chopped artichoke hearts
  • 8 oz chopped salami
  • 8 oz mini fresh mozzarella cheese balls or chopped fresh mozzarella

Dressing:

  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tbsp Italian Seasoning*
  • 1 tsp fresh cracked black pepper
  • 1 tsp salt more or less to taste

Instructions

  • Cook pasta in salted water according to the package instructions, drain, and cool completely before mixing in the other ingredients.
  • Dice all the other ingredients for pasta salad while pasta is cooking and cooling.
  • Combine pasta, cheese, salami, olives, artichokes, peppers, and tomatoes in a large mixing bowl and mix well.
  • Cover the bowl and refrigerate for about 2 hours.
  • In a small jar with a lid, combine oil, vinegar, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper and shake vigorously for a few seconds. Pour over the pasta salad and mix everything together.
  • Serve right away.

Notes

*To substitute Italian Seasoning: Most Italian seasonings on the market have the same general mix of basil, oregano, rosemary, marjoram, and sage. I also like to add parsley and thyme. So grab as many of these herbs as you have in your pantry and mix them about 1/2 tsp each. (Although, I find rosemary a bit overwhelming so I add less rosemary than others.)
Make Ahead: You can mix all of the ingredients for the pasta salad ahead of time except the dressing. Pasta tends to soak up oil and vinegar like a sponge so if you dress is ahead of time, the salad will be dry. To make sure your pasta salad is not dry, mix in the dressing right before serving.  
Make this salad without the dressing the day before and store it covered in the refrigerator. I don’t recommend making it any more than 1 day before to that tomatoes don’t get wilted and other ingredients stay fresh.
Store: store leftover pasta salad in an air-tight food storage container, in the refrigerator. Pasta will soak up a lot of the dressing so you can always add more dressing when enjoying the leftovers. 

Nutrition

Calories: 565kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 45mg | Sodium: 1347mg | Potassium: 350mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 384IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 188mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @willcookforsmiles or tag #willcookforsmiles!

More of Our Favorite Pasta Salad Recipes

Grilled Vegetable Pasta Salad

Greek Tortellini Salad

Green Goddess Macaroni Salad

Italian Tortellini Salad

Originally published on Will Cook For Smiles in June 2012.

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All images and text ©Lyubov Brooke for ©Will Cook For Smiles. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If using my posts in collections and features, please link back to this post for the recipe.
Disclaimer: Nutrition information shown is not guaranteed to be 100% accurate as most ingredients and brands have variations.

5 from 3 votes

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19 Comments

  1. wilhelmina says:

    5 stars
    This is the perfect dish for a summer meal! It’s filling and delicious and comes together in a snap. The leftovers are even better the next day!

    1. I am so happy you liked it!

  2. 5 stars
    This was a great antipasto pasta salad to make for our cookout. Everyone asked for the recipe and we will definitely be making this easy side dish often.

  3. 5 stars
    Made this for a cookout and it was a hit!

  4. Michelle Narayanan says:

    Hi. Do you use fresh or dry herbs for the italian seasoning?

  5. This looks like the perfect side for a bbq. Looks yummy!  Thanks for sharing at Terrific Tuesdays.
    Rachel
    adventuresofadiymom.blogspot.com

  6. Whimsically Homemade says:

    Oh my goodness, going down the ingredient list making my mouth water. I have to make this, it’s got everything I love! Thanks for sharing! 

    Visiting from Whimsically Homemade! 

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