This Classic Italian Pasta Salad is a colorful, hearty, and flavorful side dish made with tri-color rotini, savory ham, pepperoni, creamy mozzarella, juicy cherry tomatoes, black olives, and a zesty Italian dressing. Every bite has a delicious combination of savory, tangy, and fresh flavors.
It’s incredibly easy to prepare and makes a great addition to summer cookouts, BBQs, potlucks, picnics, family gatherings, or casual weeknight dinners. Best of all, it can be prepared ahead of time, making it perfect when you need an easy dish for a crowd.
Ingredients
12 oz tri-color rotini pasta
6 oz honey ham, diced into small cubes
4 oz pepperoni, diced
8 oz mozzarella cheese, cut into small cubes
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup black olives, drained and halved
1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
3/4 cup zesty Italian dressing
2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp garlic powder
Salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Cook the tri-color rotini according to the package directions until al dente. Avoid overcooking the pasta so it holds its shape and texture in the salad.
Drain the pasta thoroughly and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process. Transfer it to a large bowl and allow it to cool completely.
Add the diced ham, pepperoni, mozzarella cubes, cherry tomatoes, black olives, and sliced red onion to the cooled pasta.
Pour the Italian dressing over the ingredients. Add the Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder.
Gently toss everything together until the pasta and all of the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
Taste and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed.
Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. For even better flavor, let the salad chill for 1–2 hours before serving so the dressing can soak into the pasta and the flavors can blend together.
Before serving, gently toss the salad again. If the pasta has absorbed too much dressing, add a small splash of Italian dressing and toss again.
Recipe Tips
Use al dente pasta for the best texture and always cool the pasta completely before adding the other ingredients.
For extra flavor, prepare the salad a few hours ahead of time. The flavors become even better as it chills.
You can also add chopped green bell pepper, banana peppers, cucumber, or fresh parsley for extra crunch and freshness.
Storage
Store leftover Italian Pasta Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Give it a gentle toss before serving and add a little extra Italian dressing if needed.
Serving Suggestion
Serve chilled as a side dish with grilled chicken, burgers, sandwiches, BBQ meats, or your favorite summer meal. It’s also an excellent make-ahead dish for potlucks and family gatherings.