Best Italian Pasta Salad Recipe

Introduction

This Best Italian Pasta Salad is a fresh and flavorful dish perfect for gatherings or a hearty lunch. Packed with colorful vegetables, turkey, and a zesty homemade dressing, it brings vibrant Italian-inspired flavors to your table.

Ingredients

• 16 oz rotini pasta
• 10 oz turkey slices (chopped)
• 1 cup English cucumber (sliced)
• 2 cups grape tomatoes (halved)
• 1 ½ cups bell peppers (diced)
• ½ cup red onion (chopped)
• 8 oz black olives (sliced)
• 8 oz fresh mozzarella pearls
• 1 ¼ cup olive oil
• 3 tbsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
• 1 ½ tbsp Italian seasoning
• 2 tsp sugar
• 3 tbsp red apple vinegar
• 2 tsp garlic (minced)
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Cook rotini pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta.
2. Step 2: In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, sugar, red apple vinegar, garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper to make the dressing.
3. Step 3: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta with chopped turkey, cucumber, grape tomatoes, bell peppers, red onion, black olives, and mozzarella pearls.
4. Step 4: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently until everything is well coated and evenly mixed.
5. Step 5: Chill the pasta salad in the refrigerator before serving to enhance the flavors.

Tips & Variations

• For a vegetarian option, omit the turkey and add extra mozzarella or chickpeas for protein.
• Use fresh Italian herbs like basil or oregano instead of dried Italian seasoning for a brighter flavor.
• Let the salad chill for at least an hour to allow the dressing to fully infuse the ingredients.

Storage

Store the pasta salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For best taste, give it a gentle toss before serving again. Since it contains fresh vegetables and cheese, avoid freezing as the texture may change. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this pasta salad ahead of time?

Yes, this salad tastes even better after resting for a few hours or overnight in the fridge, allowing the flavors to meld nicely.

What pasta works best in this recipe?

Rotini is ideal because its twists hold the dressing well, but you can substitute with other short pasta shapes like fusilli, penne, or farfalle.

Best Italian Pasta Salad Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 191 reviews

A vibrant and refreshing Italian pasta salad featuring rotini pasta, tender turkey slices, fresh vegetables, and a zesty homemade Italian dressing. Perfect as a light lunch or a delightful side dish for any occasion.

• Author: Leo
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Salad
• Method: No-Cook
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Pasta and Protein

• 16 oz rotini pasta
• 10 oz turkey slices, chopped

Vegetables

• 1 cup English cucumber, sliced
• 2 cups grape tomatoes, halved
• 1 ½ cups bell peppers, diced
• ½ cup red onion, chopped
• 8 oz black olives, sliced

Dairy

• 8 oz fresh mozzarella pearls

Dressing

• 1 ¼ cup olive oil
• 3 tbsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 1 ½ tbsp Italian seasoning
• 2 tsp sugar
• 3 tbsp red apple vinegar
• 2 tsp garlic, minced
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper

Instructions

1. Cook Pasta: Boil rotini pasta according to the package instructions until it is al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse it thoroughly with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down for the salad.
2. Prepare Dressing: In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, Italian seasoning, sugar, red apple vinegar, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until the dressing is well combined and emulsified.
3. Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooked and cooled pasta, chopped turkey slices, cucumber slices, halved grape tomatoes, diced bell peppers, chopped red onion, sliced black olives, and fresh mozzarella pearls. Pour the prepared dressing over the mixture.
4. Toss Salad: Gently toss the ingredients together until everything is evenly coated with the dressing, ensuring the flavors meld well without breaking the delicate mozzarella pearls.
5. Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to enhance the flavors, then serve chilled for the best taste experience.

Notes

• For a vegetarian version, omit the turkey slices and add extra mozzarella or chickpeas for protein.
• You can substitute black olives with Kalamata olives for a tangier flavor.
• Make sure to cool the pasta completely before mixing to prevent the dressing from becoming oily and separating.
• This pasta salad can be prepared a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator; just toss again before serving.
• Adjust the seasoning to taste, especially the salt and pepper, depending on the saltiness of the turkey and olives.

Keywords: Italian pasta salad, rotini pasta salad, turkey pasta salad, Italian dressing, summer salad, easy pasta recipe