Italian Pasta Salad

Name: Italian Pasta Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 9 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 12 oz box rotini pasta; 1 Cup olive oil; 1/3 Cup white wine vinegar; 3 Tablespoons Italian seasoning mix; 1 Can chickpeas (drained); 3/4 Cup bell peppers (multiple colors, diced); 1/4 Cup black olives (sliced); 1/4 Cup red onion (diced); 1/4 Cup fresh basil (chopped); 12 cherry tomatoes (sliced)

This Italian pasta salad is loaded with fresh veggies, hearty pasta, and a delicious homemade Italian dressing. The best part? It’s ready in less than 15 minutes for a quick, healthy, and flavorful meal.

Italian pasta salad in large bowl ready to be served

Table of Contents

Americans love their pasta salad! I happen to like it as well, especially when I can pump it up with a healthy twist. Instead of pepperoni, I use protein-packed chickpeas, and instead of bottled Italian dressing, I make my own!

Love homemade salads? Then you’ll love my old fashioned macaroni salad, orzo salad, and potato salad recipe. They all feature classic flavors your family will love!

To me, there are two essentials to a great pasta salad: It must be flavorful and it must be colorful! I like to pour my own version of Italian dressing on the pasta because I find you get more vibrant flavors this way. Homemade dressing is super simple. In terms of color, when choosing the veggies you want to have in your salad, be sure to have at least 5 different colors represented. Here I have green, orange, and yellow bell peppers. I also have black olives, purple-red onion, and red cherry tomatoes.

Why I Love This Recipe

You can make this homemade pasta salad in less than 15 minutes and it’s even better when you make it ahead to let the flavors blend.
Instead of pepperoni, I use protein packed chickpeas. These 7,500 year old legumes are rich in protein, fiber, minerals, and flavor! Not to mention, they add a more interesting texture to the dish.
We’ll make our own homemade dressing and it’s one of the easiest ones you can make!

Ingredients for quick and simple pasta salad

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Key Ingredients and Variations

Rotini Pasta: This spiral-shaped pasta is perfect for holding the dressing and capturing all the delicious flavors of the salad.
Olive Oil: It will add a rich, smooth flavor to the salad and also help coat the pasta and prevent it from sticking together.
White Wine Vinegar: This will give the salad a tangy kick, balancing the richness of the olive oil and the savory flavors of the other ingredients.
Italian Seasonings Mix: It’s a blend of herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme that will add a classic Italian flavor to the salad.
Chickpeas: These will add a bit of protein and a nutty flavor, as well as a nice, firm texture to the salad. Add more protein to your salad by mixing in some grilled chicken or shrimp. It’s a great way to turn this side dish into a complete meal.
Bell Peppers: They will add a sweet, crisp flavor and a pop of color to the salad. For a smoky flavor, try grilling the bell peppers and red onions before adding them to the pasta. This will add a delicious charred flavor to your Italian pasta salad.
Black Olives: These will add a salty, briny flavor and a bit of a chewy texture to the salad.
Red Onion: It will add a sharp, pungently sweet flavor and a bit of crunch to the salad.
Fresh Basil: It will add a sweet, aromatic flavor and a pop of fresh green color to the salad.
Cherry Tomatoes: These will add a juicy, sweet-tart flavor and a burst of color to the salad.

How to Make Italian Pasta Salad

Preparation

To start off, cook the rotini. It’s a type of pasta, and you’ll need to boil it until it’s just the right amount of softness, which should take about 9 minutes. Once it’s done, drain the pasta and set it aside.

Step 1 – Make the Italian Dressing

To make the dressing, whisk together olive oil, white wine vinegar, and Italian seasoning mix. This will give you a tangy, herby dressing that will bring all the salad ingredients together.

Step 2 – Combine Pasta and Dressing

Now, while the cooked pasta is still warm, pour the Italian dressing over it and mix well. This step is important because the warm pasta will soak up the dressing, giving it even more flavor.

Step 3 – Add the Drained Chickpeas

Once the pasta and dressing are well combined, you can add the rest of the ingredients. Start by draining the canned chickpeas and adding them to the pasta.

Step 4 – Add the Veggies

Next, throw in the chopped bell peppers, sliced black olives, diced red onion, and fresh basil. Finally, add the sliced cherry tomatoes.

Step 4 – Mix and Refrigerate

Mix all the ingredients well, making sure that the dressing is evenly distributed. Once everything is well combined, refrigerate the salad. It’s best served cold, so letting it chill in the fridge for a while will help all the flavors to come together.

Step 5 – Serve

After the salad has chilled for a bit, it’s ready to serve. Enjoy it as a light, flavorful meal on its own, or serve it as a side dish at your next gathering.

Expert Tip

To make sure your Italian pasta salad is bursting with flavor, don’t forget to dress the pasta while it’s still warm. This allows the rotini to soak up the Italian dressing, giving it a deliciously seasoned base to build on.

Recipe Variations

Grilled: For a smoky flavor, try grilling the bell peppers and red onions before adding them to the pasta. This will add a delicious charred flavor to your Italian pasta salad.
Protein: Add some protein to your salad by mixing in some grilled chicken or shrimp. It’s a great way to turn this side dish into a complete meal.
Cheese: For all the cheese lovers out there, feel free to add some cubbed mozzarella or shredded parmesan to your pasta salad. It will add a creamy, savory element that’s hard to resist.

What to Serve With

Eat it alongside a fresh grilled burger with all the fixings and you’ve got yourself one fantastic summer cookout meal.
If you’re a fan of sandwiches, this pasta salad goes really well with a classic sandwich. The Italian dressing and fresh vegetables in the salad add a nice, light element to the rich, meaty sandwich.
Looking for a light and refreshing dinner idea? Serve this salad with a side of grilled chicken drumsticks. The zesty flavors of the salad are the perfect complement to the juicy, grilled chicken.

Make Ahead Instructions

You can make the pasta salad and store it in the refrigerator a day in advance. It’s best served cold, so letting it chill in the fridge for a while will help all the flavors to come together.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta for this salad?

Yes, you can. While this recipe calls for rotini, feel free to use any pasta shape you like. Bowtie (farfalle) or penne would work well too.

Can I add other vegetables to my pasta salad?

Absolutely! You can add anything you’d like and this is why it’s a great way to use the season’s produce.

Storing and Reheating

Storing: You can store any leftover Italian pasta salad in an airtight container. It can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.

Italian Pasta Salad

Why I Love This Recipe

Key Ingredients and Variations