Hey there, pasta lovers! If you’re looking for a dish that screams summer vibes and tastes like a Mediterranean vacation, you’ve come to the right place. This Easy Italian Pasta Salad isn’t just a dish; it’s a mood. It’s sunshine in a bowl, bursting with colors and fresh flavors that’ll make your taste buds do a happy dance. It’s the kind of meal that’s equally at home at a backyard barbecue, a lazy picnic in the park, or on your dinner table when you need something quick, tasty, and satisfying.
At the heart of this classic dish lies pasta spirals, fresh mozzarella balls, delicately nestled amongst leaves of chopped spinach, imparting a creamy richness that perfectly complements the dish’s crisp, refreshing notes. Diced cucumber adds a delightful crunch, while the diced red onion awakens the palate with its bold flavor.
But it’s the sun-dried tomatoes and savory salami that elevate this Easy Italian Pasta Salad to the next level. The tomatoes impart a tangy sweetness that balances beautifully against the saltiness of the salami, creating the perfect combination. All bound together with a luscious Italian dressing, infused with aromatic herbs and spices, that tie it all together.
INGREDIENTS
I love how many fresh veggies are packed into this Italian pasta salad. It’s both delicious and healthy! I love to make a big batch of it to have as meals throughout the week. This is also the perfect addition to any potlucks, parties or large gatherings.
Let’s take a look at what we need:
- Pasta – Any short noodle works (spiral, elbow, bow-tie, penne, etc.)
- Salami – Adds a delicious salty and savory flavor.
- Cucumber – Peel and dice one cucumber into small, bite-sized pieces.
- Red onion – Adds a sharp and tangy flavor with a vibrant crunch to the salad.
- Fresh spinach – A nutritious addition, even adding a pop of green color and freshness.
- Fresh mozzarella balls – Creamy little bursts of cheese that offer a mild and smooth texture to the salad.
- Sun-dried tomatoes – Probably my favorite ingredient in this recipe! It infuses the salad with a sweet and tangy intensity, delivering a burst of sweet tomato flavor.
- Italian dressing – Homemade or store-bought. I like the Olive Garden brand, when I don’t have time to make my own. I prefer homemade dressing when I can, but I’m also a busy mom who knows we don’t always have time for that.
- Parmesan cheese – Finishes off the salad with a salty richness. Go for freshly grated, if you can!
- Salt & pepper – These classic seasonings are the perfect finish.
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS
Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions.
While the pasta is cooking, prepare the fresh veggies. Peel and chop the cucumber into small pieces, finely dice the red onion and roughly chop the fresh spinach.
Once pasta is done, drain and rinse under cool water. Make sure it’s drained well.
In a large bowl, add all the ingredients and mix well. Taste and add more salt, pepper or Parmesan cheese to your liking.
Enjoy! And If you have the chance, please take a quick second to give this recipe a rating below. It helps this mama out so much!
TIPS & NOTES
This makes great leftovers and keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. I love making this early in the week to have as lunch or an easy dinner on busy days.
If you’re making this for a party or large gathering and want this to look as aesthetic as possible, I recommend using tri-color pasta noodles. The ingredients are colorful on their own, but the added colors in the tri-color noodles give it a nice, extra pop of color.
This recipe is customized to fit what our family likes. However, you can easily swap things out or add the veggies you know your family loves. For example, no one in our house likes regular tomatoes but those would be an excellent addition in this and is used in most classic Italian pasta salads.
Here’s some other ingredients that would be excellent in this recipe:
- Olives
- Bell pepper
- Sliced pepperoncinis
- Pepperoni
- Prosciutto
- Fresh basil
I hope you like this one as much as we do!
<3 Meghan | Electric Mommy
Easy Italian Pasta Salad
This classic Italian Pasta Salad combines tender pasta spirals with creamy fresh mozzarella, crisp cucumber, earthy spinach, zesty red onion, sweet sun-dried tomatoes, and savory salami, all tossed together in a flavorful Italian dressing. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a quick and satisfying meal anytime.
Ingredients
- 16 oz pasta any short noodle works (spiral, penne, elbow, bow-tie, etc.)
- 4 oz salami
- 1 cucumber peeled and chopped
- ½ red onion finely diced
- 1 cup fresh spinach chopped
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella balls
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes
- 1 cup Italian dressing homemade or store-bought
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
Instructions
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Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
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While the pasta is cooking, prep the fresh veggies. Peel and chop the cucumber into small pieces, finely dice the red onion and roughly chop the fresh spinach.
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Once pasta is done, drain and rinse under cool water.
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In a large bowl, add all the ingredients and mix well. Taste and add more salt, pepper or Parmesan cheese to your liking.
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Enjoy! If you have the chance, please take a quick second to give this recipe a rating below. It helps us out so much!
