This Italian Pasta Salad Recipe is fresh, colorful, and packed with bold Mediterranean-inspired flavors. Tender pasta is tossed with juicy rotisserie chicken, savory turkey salami, crisp vegetables, Parmesan cheese, and a zesty homemade Italian dressing. Perfect for potlucks, meal prep, picnics, or an easy family dinner, this pasta salad is always a crowd-pleaser.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in about 30 minutes.
- Perfect for meal prep and picnics.
- Loaded with fresh vegetables and protein.
- Homemade Italian dressing is bright and flavorful.
- Great served as a side dish or a complete meal.
- Easy to customize with your favorite ingredients.
- Delicious served cold.
Ingredients
Pasta Salad
- 3 cups uncooked rotini or small shell pasta
- 1 cup shredded rotisserie chicken
- ½ cup turkey salami, thinly sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¼ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
- ½ cup black olives, halved
- ½ cup roasted red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 cup chopped English cucumber
- ¼ cup finely diced red onion
- ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Italian Dressing
- ⅓ cup red wine vinegar
- 1½ teaspoons Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- ½ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, oregano, Italian seasoning, sugar, olive oil, mayonnaise, salt, and pepper. Shake well until smooth. Refrigerate while preparing the salad.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente.
- Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water for about 20 seconds. Drain well.
- While the pasta cools, chop the chicken, turkey salami, cherry tomatoes, roasted red peppers, cucumber, parsley, olives, and red onion.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chicken, turkey salami, vegetables, parsley, olives, and Parmesan cheese.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Taste and adjust with additional salt and black pepper if needed.
- Refrigerate the Italian Pasta Salad Recipe for at least 10 minutes before serving.
- Toss once more before serving and enjoy chilled.
Tips & Tricks
- Cook the pasta just until al dente to prevent it from becoming soft.
- Chill the dressing before mixing for even better flavor.
- Toss the salad again before serving since the pasta absorbs some of the dressing.
- Add extra Parmesan just before serving for a richer flavor.
- Fresh basil can be added for extra freshness.
- For meal prep, keep the dressing separate until ready to eat.
Details
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
- Difficulty: Easy
- Dietary Notes: High-Protein
Notes
- Turkey salami keeps this recipe halal-friendly while adding classic Italian flavor.
- Mozzarella pearls are a delicious addition.
- Chickpeas can be added for extra protein and texture.
- This salad tastes even better after chilling for a few hours.
Nutrition (Approximate Per Serving)
- Calories: 445
- Protein: 20 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 690 mg
FAQ
Can I make this pasta salad ahead of time?
Yes. Prepare it up to one day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Add the dressing just before serving for the freshest texture.
What pasta works best?
Rotini, fusilli, bow ties, and small shells all hold the dressing beautifully.
Can I substitute the chicken?
Absolutely. Grilled chicken, roasted chicken, or even chickpeas make excellent alternatives.
How long will pasta salad keep?
Stored in an airtight container, it stays fresh for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
Can I make it vegetarian?
Yes. Omit the chicken and turkey salami, then add chickpeas, white beans, or extra vegetables.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container.
- Refrigerator: Up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended.
- Serving Tip: Refresh leftovers with a drizzle of olive oil or a splash of vinegar before serving.
Similar Recipes
Italian Pasta Salad Recipe
Italian Pasta Salad Recipe combines tender pasta, shredded chicken, turkey salami, fresh vegetables, Parmesan cheese, and a tangy homemade Italian dressing. A refreshing meal perfect for picnics, meal prep, and family gatherings.
Ingredients
Pasta Salad
- 3 cups uncooked rotini or small shell pasta
- 1 cup shredded rotisserie chicken
- ½ cup turkey salami thinly sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- ¼ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley finely chopped
- ½ cup black olives halved
- ½ cup roasted red bell pepper chopped
- 1 cup chopped English cucumber
- ¼ cup finely diced red onion
- ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Italian Dressing
- ⅓ cup red wine vinegar
- 1½ teaspoons Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- ½ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, oregano, Italian seasoning, sugar, olive oil, mayonnaise, salt, and pepper. Shake well until smooth. Refrigerate while preparing the salad.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook the pasta according to the package directions until al dente.
- Drain the pasta and rinse under cold water for about 20 seconds. Drain well.
- While the pasta cools, chop the chicken, turkey salami, cherry tomatoes, roasted red peppers, cucumber, parsley, olives, and red onion.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chicken, turkey salami, vegetables, parsley, olives, and Parmesan cheese.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Taste and adjust with additional salt and black pepper if needed.
- Refrigerate the Italian Pasta Salad Recipe for at least 10 minutes before serving.
- Toss once more before serving and enjoy chilled.
Notes
- Turkey salami keeps this recipe halal-friendly while adding classic Italian flavor.
- Mozzarella pearls are a delicious addition.
- Chickpeas can be added for extra protein and texture.
- This salad tastes even better after chilling for a few hours
Conclusion
This Italian Pasta Salad Recipe is the perfect combination of tender pasta, fresh vegetables, savory turkey salami, juicy chicken, and a homemade Italian dressing. Whether you’re preparing it for a barbecue, picnic, potluck, or simple family lunch, this easy pasta salad is guaranteed to become one of your favorite make-ahead recipes.