Italian Pasta Salad Recipes

Perfect for a buffet or a barbecue. Customize with your favorite vegetables.

Pepperoni and mozzarella cheese make this a filling pasta salad. Serve with fruit for a nice summertime meal.

This salad is easy to make and everyone loves it!

Wonderful pasta salad. So different from the Italian dressing pasta salads. Very hearty side dish or main dish for lunch. Crunchy veggies and rich pesto sauce.

An antipasto is a cold platter of meat, cheese, and vegetables which is served at the start of a meal before the pasta and other courses, but to save some time, I thought we'd add the pasta right into the antipasto to turn into a complete meal all by itself. You could serve this as a side dish, but with a hunk of crusty bread and a glass of wine, I'm not sure what else you'd need. Top with more parsley before serving.

This Italian pasta salad is great to make for lunches or as a dinner on a summer night.

Basic and super easy macaroni salad that I make for family gatherings. I make mine with dill relish but you could change it if you prefer the sweet. Looks good and tastes even better the next day. The more you make it, the quicker you will get. Can be served right away, or make it ahead of time and keep it in the fridge.

This pasta salad recipe with chickpeas was my grandmother's, brought over from Italy many years ago. It was always one of my favorites. Thanks, nonna!

Cold or warm and simple pasta 'salad'. A recurrent dish in Italy during the warm/hot seasons. Best served with a light, dry white wine. Serve lukewarm or cold. The more it is allowed to sit, the more the flavors attach to the other ingredients.

A take on a traditional Caprese, but modified into a light summer pasta salad that goes great with anything off the grill, or just on its own. When I eat it on its own, I sometimes add about a cup of any chunked, cold sausage (I suggest pepperoni or a lighter summer sausage). Any pasta is fine, but I like the orzo's size.

This is always a hit for summer picnics.

This pasta salad recipe calls for a fat-free Italian dressing, your choice of veggies and some fresh ground pepper. Sound good?!

This wonderful dish combines all your favorite vegetables in one dish that can be adapted to your own tastes. If preparing a day ahead, refrigerate, then stir in 1/2 cup additional Italian dressing before serving. Also terrific with Ranch, Caesar, Red Wine Vinaigrette, Parmesan, and most other dressings!

This is a recipe that I received a few years ago. I added some extra ingredients to it. Everybody asks me to make it for gatherings. Easy and delicious! Enjoy.

A wonderful light salad that's easy to make. I use tomatoes from the farmer's market and it gives the salad that special 'fresh' zing. My family loves it.

This is truly a must have pasta salad especially if you are Italian. I can't keep this in the house, it goes as fast as I make it. Enjoy!

Perfect for barbecues or any get together. Customize with your favorite vegetables and cheeses. Serve chilled or at room temperature. You can use any assortment of diced vegetables. You can substitute mozzarella cheese for the Parmesan cheese.

Fresh tomatoes, artichoke hearts, black olives, and orzo with an olive oil, balsamic, and basil dressing.

Jim turned 40. Barb threw a party. I brought this pasta salad.

This hearty salad is a delicious meal that will fill any tummy! Serve as a main course and everyone will be pleased! Has pleased my friends and family time and time again!

This is my take on several different pasta salads I have tried. It's my daughter's favorite and I have taken it to several picnics and BBQs and it's always a bit hit. At serving time if pasta seems a little dry, drizzle with some olive oil and mix again.

Need a quick salad for a picnic? Or potluck? This is perfect and fast!

With tender tortellini, colorful vegetables and fresh bocconcini, this contemporary Italian classic is a feast for the eyes and the mouth!

This is a quick and delicious recipe from staples in my pantry. It is a hearty pasta salad great as a main dish or side and is perfect for potlucks or anytime you are in a pinch for time. You can't go wrong with this recipe. In season (and on hand) cherry tomatoes would be an excellent addition, as would fresh herbs from your garden. Any cheese would work and diced salami or browned pancetta would be great in here. Be careful not to over-salt your water. The artichokes, olives, dressing, and cheese add lots of salty goodness.